01-05 December 2025
INCOIS, Hyderabad, India.
| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-05-0205 |
| Title of Abstract | Hydrodynamic Traps Amplify Coral Reef Decline in the Lakshadweep Archipelago |
| Authors | Arya P Kumar*, Anu Gopinath, Kirthiga S S, Dhinesh R, Anamdasu Yasaswi, R. S Mahendra, Prakash Mohanty, Sudheer Joseph, R. Harikumar, T.M.Balakrishnan Nair |
| Organisation | Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) |
| Address | Rohini(H), Varayannur, Pullad P.O Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, Pin:689548 Thiruvalla, Kerala, India Pincode: 689548 E-mail: arya12pkumar@gmail.com |
| Country | India |
| Presentation | Poster |
| Abstract | The 2024 global marine heatwave triggered widespread coral bleaching across the Lakshadweep Archipelago, leading to extensive reef degradation and ecological change. This study investigates the environmental drivers of bleaching and their cascading impacts on reef ecosystems and associated human communities. Field surveys conducted in May 2025 across multiple islands, including inhabited and uninhabited sites, revealed strong contrasts in ecological responses. In Kavaratti, restricted lagoon flushing and elevated turbidity promoted post-bleaching algal overgrowth, while other islands with more dynamic circulation displayed greater resilience and maintained coralâ¿¿algae balance. Hyperspectral radiometer measurements highlighted pigment-related shifts in reef reflectance, while chlorophyll-a and SST patterns corroborated local vulnerability to thermal stress and nutrient retention. By integrating in-situ and satellite observations, this study demonstrates how hydrodynamic restriction and nutrient retention intensify bleaching impacts and shape post-disturbance reef states. The findings provide a framework for assessing reef vulnerability in small island systems and highlight critical processes that should inform long-term monitoring, ecosystem management, and climate adaptation strategies. |
| Are you part of IIOE-2 endorsed project | no |
| Keywords | Coral bleaching, Marine heatwaves, Reef resilience, Algal overgrowth, Lakshadweep Archipelago |
| For Awards | yes |
| Date Of Birth | 12-12-1995 |
| ECSN Registration Number | IIOE2-ECSN-0221 |