Research indicated that coral populations in the Lakshadweep archipelago have decreased to 50% of their levels in 1998

What are Corals?

Corals are invertebrates that are part of a vast category of animals known as Cnidaria.

Corals consist of numerous tiny, delicate creatures called polyps.

They produce a chalky rocky (calcium carbonate) exoskeleton for their defense.

Thus, millions of small polyps build extensive carbonate formations, resulting in coral reefs.

Appearance: Corals come in colors from red to purple and blue, but are primarily seen in shades of brown and green.

Corals exhibit vibrant colors due to tiny algae known as zooxanthellae.

Coral reefs can be classified into three types: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls.

Fringing reefs develop along coastlines, barrier reefs arise in open waters, and atolls are circular formations created around submerged volcanoes.

Coral reefs in India: Kutch Gulf, Mannar Gulf, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, and Malvan.

Importance: They offer food, shelter, resting spots, and breeding areas for a quarter of all marine species, serving as nurseries and sanctuaries to safeguard essential biodiversity.

They additionally assist over 1 billion individuals residing in coastal areas globally by offering food, jobs, and leisure activities.

Causes of Coral Bleaching

Marine Heatwaves & Climate Change: Increasing sea surface temperatures disturb the mutualistic bond between corals and algae, leading to widespread bleaching and death.

Ocean Acidification: Rising CO₂ levels in oceans lower water pH, hindering corals from developing their skeletons.

Pollution: Land runoff that includes fertilizers, pesticides, and heavy metals such as lead harms coral health and resilience.

Physical Disruption: Coastal development, overfishing, sediment buildup, and coral extraction harm or bury reefs.

Overfishing: Decreases fish numbers that manage algae proliferation on reefs, causing more damage to coral habitats.

Can corals bounce back from bleaching?

Corals can heal from bleaching eventually, but only when temperatures decrease and conditions normalize.