Spatial inventory and ecological status of coral reefs of the Central Indian Ocean using Resourcesat-1

Abstract

Spatial inventory of coral reef habitat at eco-morphological level has been carried out for the Central Indian Ocean (CIO) using Resourcesat-1 satellite data. CIO covers India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory. A comprehensive classification system has been evolved and standardized to map the coral reefs of CIO. Coral reefs of the CIO occupy 18,252.13 sq km area. Maldivian and Indian reefs cover 79.63% (14533.60 sq km) and 13.06% (2383.87 sq km) of CIO reef area respectively. Coral reefs of British Indian Ocean Territory enjoy pristine ecological status among the CIO reefs. In India, Lakshadweep followed by Andaman and Nicobar islands have certain reefs which may be termed as pristine with the rest being in vulnerable condition. Gulf of Kachchh reefs are in degraded condition. Sri Lankan reefs are also in vulnerable condition. Banladesh has a single reef which is in degrading condition. This inventory is the first of its kind providing baseline data not only for management and conservation but also forms an important input for climate change studies.