Coral Reefs in India

Some of the major Coral Reefs in India are:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Most of these islands, which are exclusively bordering reefs of roughly 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal, have a rich biodiversity.

Eastern Coast

Between the Chandrabhaga coast and Ramachandi in the Konark region of Odisha, there is a coral reef that is close to the water.

Gulf of Munnar

From Rameswaram in the north to Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in the south, a chain of 21 islands encircles reefs. This section of the Gulf of Munnar is a protected biosphere area.

Gulf of Kutch

It consists solely of bordering reefs. The wide variety of temperatures and excessive salinity have led to the reefs’ relative underdevelopment. There is less biodiversity in the harbors. Additionally referred to as a marine national park, the entire Gulf of Kutch.

Lakshadweep

36 islands, all coral atolls, with 10 of them being inhabited. The islands’ lengths range from less than 1 km to around 9 km, and their maximum breadth is 2 km.

Western Coast

Inlets in the western portion of the Gulf of Khambat have a few coral reefs surrounding them. A coral reef called Angria Bank is located near Vijaydurg, Maharashtra. Malwan, Maharashtra’s Tarkarli is a tiny reef. Karnataka’s Netrani Island has a coral reef.

Coral Reefs: Types, Importance and Threats

Coral reef is an oceanic ecosystem that is made up of corals that construct reefs. Reefs are constructed by coral polyp colonies that are connected by calcium carbonate. Most coral reefs are composed of stony corals, whose polyps cluster. Coral belongs to the animal group Cnidaria’s class Anthozoa, which includes sea anemones and jellyfish. The majority of reefs thrive in warm, shallow, clear, bright, and turbulent water. In this article, we will look into the meaning, formation, types, and importance of Coral Reefs.

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What are Coral Reefs?

Coral reefs are massive seawater structures formed by the accumulation of tiny-bodied organisms known as coral. Corals are living animals that have a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called ‘Zooxanthellae’. Each coral is referred to as a Polyp and each polyp secretes lime, whose agglomeration results in the formation of coral reefs over a period of time. Coral reefs are of three types i.e., fringing, barrier, and atoll reefs, and each reef has a difference in its formation and distribution. Coral reefs are much more than just a beautiful oceanic ecosystem, they provide an important support system to underwater life, protect coastal areas, and provide a source of income for millions of people along with food and medicine....

Formation of Coral Reefs

The majority of coral reefs were created following the Last Glacial Period when rising sea levels from melting ice flooded continental shelves. The majority of coral reefs are under 10,000 years old. The reefs expanded higher as settlements grew, keeping pace with the sea level rise. Reefs that climbed too slowly could drown if there wasn’t enough light. Coral reefs can also be found in the deep ocean, next to oceanic islands and atolls, distant from continental shelves. Most of these islands were formed by volcanic activity. Others stem from tectonic plate movements that raised the deep ocean floor....

Types of Coral Reefs

Based on their shape, nature, and manner of occurrence, coral reefs are divided into three groups:...

Importance of Coral Reefs

The following are some key roles that coral reefs play:...

Coral Reefs in India

Some of the major Coral Reefs in India are:...

Threats to Coral Reefs

The following is a list of the threats affecting coral reefs:...

FAQs on Coral Reefs

1. What makes coral reefs so important?...