Lakshadweep’s coral cover halved in 24 yrs

A 24-year study reveals a 50% decline in Lakshadweep corals due to climate change and heatwaves, stressing urgent action for reef recovery.

A 24-year-long study of corals in the Lakshadweep archipelago has found a 50% decline in coral cover compared to 1998 as a result of repeated marine heatwaves, exacerbated by climate change. The study published in the journal of Diversity and Distributions said this decline was explained by reduced recovery rates after each bleaching event, despite coral mortality decreasing with successive events.

The paper concluded that the fate of corals in Lakshadweep will be determined by the return time of bleaching events. (HT photo)

The paper concluded that the fate of corals in Lakshadweep will be determined by the return time of bleaching