- Dona Paula, Goa, India.
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Abstract Submission No. | ABS-2022-09-0370 |
Title of Abstract | Identifying the impacts of anthropogenic activities on species diversity distribution of corals using geospatial techniques: A case study of Poshitra and Narara island of Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat |
Authors | Jalpa K Jadeja*, Foram K Jadeja, Pradeep C Mankodi |
Organisation | The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat |
Address | Department of Environmental Studies, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda VADODARA, Gujarat, India Pincode: 390002 Mobile: 919824505574 E-mail: jalpa.jadeja-env@msubaroda.ac.in |
Country | India |
Presentation | Oral |
Abstract | Coral Reefs are rich in diversity and important ecosystem which are mainly found in warm water near tropical region on earth. Coral Reefs are the most ancient and one of the fascinating ecosystems on the earth. Remote sensing is more practical way to monitor the change in coverage of the reef ecosystem covering larger area and remotely sensed spectral indices are used in a range of environments for diversity mapping corals and other different coastal features. In present study species diversity and distribution of corals of Narara and Poshitra islands of Gulf of Kachchh (GoK) were mapped using GPS coordinates of In-Situ data and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) Index. GPS coordinates of different coral species were recorded using random quadrant sampling method of 1m2 quadrants. Species diversity mapping indicates that the number of species were more at Poshitra in compared to Narara reef. Total 12 species of corals were found in Narara whereas 20 different species of corals were reported during the study. The purpose of the IDW index was to identify the continues species distribution of the coral even in the area from where In-Situ data has not been collected and also to identify the favorable geomorphological characteristics suitable for survival of corals. The study shows that the corals at Poshitra were much healthier, boulders size were bigger and species richness was also more in compare to Narara. Different small tide pools have been generated at Poshitra to maintain the water temperature and to also protect them from human interference during different survey activities. As a result, it was concluded that the Favia favus, Goniopora and Porites were commonly found species at Poshitra and other coral species named Acanthastrea hillae, Dendronephthya, Goniopora minor, Montipora explanata, Mycedium elephantotus, Platygyra sinensis, Turbinaria mesenterina and Turbinaria peltata were recorded from Poshitra which were not founded at selected study site in Narara. Thus, it can be stated that the Poshitra is more protected and diverse than Narara and different camping, tourist and industrial activities at Narara coast has affected the health and growth of corals. Thus, fine-scale monitoring of coral reef ecosystems is needed for their management and conservation. |