Coral Reef Decline in Lakshadweep – 24-Year Study Findings

Context: India’s smallest union territory, just 1-2 metres above sea level on average – and where every seventh person is a fisherman – is losing its coral reefs and facing the impact of climate change at multiple levels

Key Findings:

1. Drastic Decline in Coral Cover:

   • Coral cover reduced from 37.24% (1998) to 19.6% (2022)

   • Reflects a 50% decline over 24 years.

2. Primary Cause:

   • Repeated marine heatwaves driven by climate change

   • Especially during El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) years:

     • Major bleaching events: 1998, 2010, 2016

3. Local Environmental Factors (Filtering):

   • Wave exposure and depth significantly affect:

     • Vulnerability to bleaching

     • Resilience and recovery potential

4. Reduced Recovery Rate:

   • Coral mortality has decreased with each event

   • But recovery rate has slowed, leading to net decline

   • Six-year bleaching-free window needed for effective regeneration

Study Area:

• Three Atolls Monitored in Lakshadweep:

  • Agatti, Kadmat, and Kavaratti

Significance of Study:

• One of the longest reef monitoring projects in the Indian Ocean

• Introduces a predictive framework to:

  • Identify vulnerable reef zones

  • Spot reefs with potential for recovery

Conservation Implications:

• Highlights need for:

• Early warning systems

• Local reef management

• Reduction in anthropogenic stressors

• Climate action to prevent frequent marine heatwaves