Mapping of Coral Reef Research: A global perspectives By V. Mohan Guide Prof. (Dr.) S. Ravi Department of Library & Information Science Annamalai University

What ??? Corals are living beings, belonging to marine Invertebrate Phylum Coelenterata or Cnidaria occurring in the depth ranging from the low tide to 6000 metres mainly in the tropical regions of the oceans and seas. Hard corals, soft corals, precious corals and hydrocorals It may grow about half a centimetre to several centimetres in a year and a branch may have taken 15 years to grow

Distribution of Coral reefs in the major oceanic regions. Reef area X 1000 Km2 Percentage of Total reef Area Asiatic Mediterranean 182 30 Indian ocean 146 24 South Pacific 77 13 North Pacific 76 12 Caribbean 57 9 North Atlantic 32 5 Red Sea 27 4 Persian Gulf 2 South Atlantic 8 1 Total 617 100

Coral reef distribution…

Global Level Distributions of Coral Reefs

Distribution of coral reefs in India

Benefits of coral reefs… Make biologically diverse and productive ecosystems on the earth. Constitute feeding, breeding and nursery grounds for many fishes and invertebrates, thus supporting a unique coral reef ecosystem in the fisheries sector. Provides natural protection between the open seas and coastlines from tidal, water currents, winds etc Act as wave breaks and effectively prevent coastal erosion Protect coastal areas from the consequences of predicated damages Potentially act as bio-indicators for climate changes Bio-indicators of coastal pollution Potential store house of medicinally valuable bio-active compounds Reef related aquarium and tourism plays an important role in the economics of many countries Ornamental purposes Some industries are exploiting the coral reefs illegally for industrial purposes such as cement production and wall paints.

Economic Value of Coral Reefs Potential net benefits per year and Net Present Value (NPV) Coral Reefs per region (in US$ million) Economic Value of Coral Reefs Southeast Asia Caribbean Indian Ocean Pacific Japan USA Australia World Reef Area (Km2) 89,000 19,000 54,000 67,000 3,000 49,000 2,84,000 Fisheries 2,281 391 969 1060 89 70 858 5,718 Coastal Protection 5,047 720 1,595 579 268 172 629 9,009 Tourism /Recreation 4,872 663 1,408 269 779 483 1,147 9,621 Biodiversity Value 458 79 199 529 401 3,645 5,483 Total 12,658 1,853 4,171 2,079 1,665 1,126 6,278 29,830 NPV (at 3%) 3,38,348 49,527 1,11,484 55,584 44,500 30,097 1,67,819 7,97,359 Ref: Cesar, et. al. 2003

Source: FAO fish statistics Fish Production Global level Source: FAO fish statistics

THANKS

Sponge coral

Coral Acropora sp. Spawning Atoll