Seagrass and Salt Marsh Ecosystems in South Asia: An Overview of Diversity, Distribution, Threats and Conservation Status

Patro, Shesdev; Krishnan, P.; Samuel, V. Deepak; Ramachandran, Ramesh

doi:10.1007/978-81-322-3715-0_5

Cited by 22 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…It is difficult to completely disentangle the influence of climate change from non-climate drivers in determining current Barbier et al (2011), Holmlund and Hammer (1999), Moberg and Folke (1999), Patro et al (2017), and Snelgrove (1999), among others. environmental and socio-ecological trends.…”

Section: Species and Ecosystem Responsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shoring Up

Arthur

2019

India in a Warming World

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Despite its vast, productive coastline and diverse marine ecosystems, India’s coasts and islands have been an afterthought in environmental policies. These systems provide direct and indirect services to coastal economies, but are threatened by rising sea levels, ocean temperatures and acidification, and increasingly erratic weather systems. Marine systems are inherently interconnected and often show non-linear responses to stress, requiring informed strategies to prevent them from breaching their breaking points. However, despite acknowledging their climate vulnerability, governmental policies are surprisingly climate-blind, promoting an upscaling of marine exploitation. Unchecked, this could be catastrophic, leading to mass internal migration and losses of livelihoods, property, and lives. This chapter outlines the influence of climate change on India’s marine systems and identifies policy gaps. It suggests what a comprehensive strategy to manage resilient marine systems should include for India to face up to the reality of climate change on its coasts and islands.

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Section: Species and Ecosystem Responsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shoring Up

Arthur

2019

India in a Warming World

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“…Globally 30% of seagrass meadows have been lost in the last two-four decades (Murray et al, 2012;Howard et al, 2014) due to a combination of anthropogenic disturbances and global change scenarios and a further 30-40% loss is predicted to be lost in the next 100 years (Waycott et al, 2009;Pendleton et al, 2012). Short et al, (2011) Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI)] in the Indian Ocean region (Patro et al, 2017;Fortes et al, 2018). These diverse coastal ecosystems surrounding India consist of mangroves, coral reefs, salt marsh and seagrasses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Current Status of <em>Halophila beccarii</em>: An Ecologically Significant, Yet Vulnerable Seagrass of India

Mishra

Apte

2020

Preprint

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We reviewed the current status of a Vulnerable seagrass, Halophila beccarii from the coast of India using the published data from 1977-2020. We found that the seagrass, H. beccarii has a pan India distribution on both east and west coast. It is abundant in the intertidal silty-muddy region on the west coast, while on the east coast it is found on sandy habitats, with few exceptions of muddy habitat. H. beccarii was found to be associated with mangroves or smaller seagrass species within a depth limit of 1.7m. Low salinity and high nitrate levels were observed for the H. beccarii meadows of the west coast due to its association with mangroves. The nutrient levels in H. beccarii meadows of India were comparatively lower than other seagrass meadows. Most of the research on H. beccarii has focoused on its morphometrics (41%), reproductive (33%) and distribution (29%) along the coast of India. Reproductive traits such as flowering and fruiting varying according to the seasons of each coast due to the influence of monsoon and its associated temperature, salinity and nutrient influx. H. beccarii has a great potential of various bioactive compounds, which needs further investigation. Habitat disturbance, anthropogenic pollution and coastal development are the major cause of declining H. beccarii ecosystems in India. Significant loss of the seagrass was observed from the west coast of India due to increased coastal development activities. There is a significant need in quantifying H. beccarii population trends, impact of climate and anthropogenic stressors, economic values of ecosystem services and the role of ecological connectivity for better conservation and management of H. beccarii seascapes across India. There is a need for integration of research outcomes in policy framing for preventing the decline and further loss of this vulnerable seagrass ecosystem.

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“…Seagrasses are marine submerged flowering plants, which are widely distributed along all tropical and temperate coastlines (Patro et al., 2017; Savurirajan et al., 2015; Short et al., 2007). These shallow marine ecosystems significantly support human populations with twenty‐four types of ecosystem services (Green & Short, 2003; IUCN, 2019; Nordlund et al., 2018; Prabhakaran, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Out of 19 seagrass species reported from the South‐East Asia region, n = 16 species were recorded from Indian waters (Mishra & Apte, 2020). The major seagrass meadows in Indian waters exist along the south‐east coast (Gulf of Mannar; Palk Bay) and in the lagoons of islands in the Lakshadweep (Arabian Sea) and Andaman–Nicobar (Bay of Bengal) (Patro et al., 2017). Nevertheless, from research and management perspectives, seagrass habitats of India are under serious threats attributable to ecosystem modification and human disturbances (Jagtap, 1996; Kaladharan, 2006; Kannan et al., 1999; Nobi et al., 2011; Prabhakaran, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The occurrence of vulnerable seagrass species Halophila beccarii Ascherson, 1871 from restored mangrove of Koduvally Estuary, south‐west coast of India

2020

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The ocean turf grass, Halophila beccarii Ascherson, 1871 was recorded for the first time in the intertidal region of the restored mangrove ecosystem of the Koduvally Estuary on the south‐west coast of India. It was found co‐existing in the shallow muddy area of the mangroves, dominated by mangrove trees of Rhizophora mucronata and Sonneratia alba, and macroalgae, Ulva sp., Enteromorpha sp. and Chaetomorpha sp. The meadow is sparsely scattered with shoots near the mangroves, with a mean density of 720 shoots/m2. Details regarding the morphology and hydrographic conditions are described. The occurrence of H. beccarii in the Koduvally estuary is an encouraging sign of improved ecosystem health through mangrove restoration. The development of seagrass meadow in the estuary will improve the sediment stability and water quality. A further comprehensive study on the spatiotemporal variation of this species in the estuary is also recommended for conservation and management of this vulnerable seagrass species.

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Seagrass and Salt Marsh Ecosystems in South Asia: An Overview of Diversity, Distribution, Threats and Conservation Status

Cited by 22 publications

References 15 publications

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The Current Status of <em>Halophila beccarii</em>: An Ecologically Significant, Yet Vulnerable Seagrass of India

The occurrence of vulnerable seagrass species Halophila beccarii Ascherson, 1871 from restored mangrove of Koduvally Estuary, south‐west coast of India

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