Abstract
Changes in shoreline, coral reef and seafloor have been mapped using remote sensing satellite data of IRS LISS-III (1998), IRS LISS-II (1988), Survey of India Topographic sheet (1969), Naval Hydrographic Chart (NHO) 1975 and bathymetry data (1999) with ARC-INFO and ARC-VIEW GIS. The analysis of multi-date shoreline maps showed that 4.34 and 23.49 km2 of the mainland coast and 4.14 and 3.31 km2 areas of island coast have been eroded and accreted, respectively, in the Gulf of Mannar. The analysis of multi-date coral reef maps showed that 25.52 km2 of reef area and 2.16 km2 of reef vegetation in Gulf of Mannar have been lost over a period of ten years. The analysis of multi-date bathymetry data indicates that the depth of seafloor has decreased along the coast and around the islands in the study area. The average reduction of depth in seafloor has been estimated as 0.51m over a period of twenty four years. The increased suspended sediment concentration due to coastal and island erosion, and raised reef due to emerging of coast by tectonic movement are responsible for coral reef degradation in the Gulf of Mannar. Validation by ground truth has confirmed these results.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahmad, E. (1972). Coastal geomorphology of India, Orient Longman, New Delhi, 222p.
Ahmed, M. (1986). Analysis of LANDS AT imagery for mineral and water resources of Tamilnadu, Pro. Inat. Semi. Photos and Remote Sensing for Developed Countries. New Delhi, pp.74–91.
Arjan Rajasuriya, Maizan Hassan Maniku, Subramanian, B.R. and Jason Rubene (1999). Coral reef ecosystems in South Asia. In: Coral reef degradation in the Indian Ocean, (Eds.: Olof Linden and Niki Sporrong). CORDIO Publishers, Stockholm, Sweden, pp. 11–24.
Bahuguna, A. and Nayak, S.R. (1994). Mapping of the coral reefs of Tamilnadu using satellite data. Scientific Note: SAC/RSA/RSAG/DOD-COS/SN/ 07/94, Space Application Center, Ahmedabad, India.
Bruckner, H. (1989). Late quaternary shorelines in India, In: Late Quaternary Sea-Level Correlation and Applications, (Eds.: D.B. Scott), pp. 169–194.
Chandrasekeran, N. (1996). Sediment transport along barrier islands and its impact on conservation of coral reef in the Gulf of Mannar. Proc. Reg. Seminar on Conservation of Coral Reefs in Gulf of Mannar.
Dhandapani, P. (1992). A study on the changes of coastal morphology of some island of Gulf of Mannar using satellite data, Proc. of the Silver Jubilee Seminar, URS, pp.250–253.
Dhandapani, P. (1997). The effect of human activities in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere and the needed remedial measurements: A casestudy. In: Island Ecosystem and Sustainable Development (Eds: B. Gangwar and K. Chandra) National Science Association, pp.169#x2013;175.
Grassle, J.F., Laserre, P., Mcintyre, A.D. and Ray, G.C. (1990). Marine biodiversity and ecosystem function. Biology International.,23:19p.
Grigg, R.W. and Dollar, S.J. (1990). Natural and anthropogenic disturbance on coral reefs, In: Ecosystem of the World Coral Reefs (Eds.: Z. Dubinsky). Elsevier Science Publishers, New York,25:439–452.
Holden and Ledrew, (1999). Hyperspectral identification of coral reef features. Inter. J. Remo. Sens,17:703–719.
Hubbard, D.K. and Scaturo, D. (1985). Growth rate of seven species of scleractinian corals from Cane Bay and Salt River. USVI Bulletin Marine Science,36:325–338.
Hubbard, D.K., Burke, R.B. and Gill, I.P. (1986). Style of reef accretion along a steep, shelf-edge reef. Jour. Sedimentary Petrology,56:848–861.
Joshi, A.B. (1995). Coastal erosion-An overview. In: Course Material on Coastal Erosion, Protection and Coastal Zone Management, Beach Erosion Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, New Delhi,2:1–26.
Loveson, V.J. and Rajamanickam, V.G. (1987). Coastal geomorphology of the south Tamilnadu, India. Proc. Nat. Symp. Remote Sensing in Land Transformation and Management, Hyderabad, (Eds.: S.K. Bhan and V.K. Jha). pp.115–129.
Loveson, V.J. and Rajamanickam, G.V. (1988a). Progradation as evidenced around as evidenced around a submerged ancient port, Periapatnam, Tamilnadu, India. Int. J. Land. Sys. Eclo. Studies,12: 94–98.
Loveson, V.J. and Rajamanickam, G.V. (1988b). Evidences for phenomena of emergence along southern Tamilnadu coast through remote sensing techniques. Tamil Civilization,5:80–90.
Macintyre, I. (1988). Modern coral reefs of western Atlantic: New geologic prospective. Bull. American Asso. Petroleum Geology,72:1360–1369.
Mahadevan, S. and Nayar, K.N. (1972). Distribution of coral reefs in Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay and their exploitation and utilization. Proc. Symp. Coral Reef, Mandapam, pp. 181 -190.
Morelock, J., Grove, K. and Hernandez, M. (1983). Fish School, An Asset Coral Science,220:1047–1049.
Nayak S.R.et al. (1991). Manul for mapping of coastal wetlands/landforms and shoreline changes using satellite data. Technical Note: IRS-UP/SAC/MCE/ TN/32/91, Space Application Center, Ahmedabad, India.
Pillai, C.S.G. (1975). An assessment of the effect of environmental and human interference on coral reefs of Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar along the Indian coast. Seafood Export Jour.,7:1–13.
Pillai, C.S.G. (1969). The distribution of coral on a reefs at Mandapam (Palk Bay) South India. Jour. Marine Biological Association, India, pp.62–72.
Ramanujam, N. and Mukesh, M.V. (1998). Geomorphology of Tuticorin Group of Island. In: Biodiversity of Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve. (Eds.: M. Rajeswari, K. Anand, Dorairaj and A. Parida). M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai. pp.32–37.
Ramanujam, N., Mukesh, M.V., Sabeen, H.M. and Preeja, N.B. (1995). Morphological variation in some islands in the Gulf of Mannar, India. Jour. Geol. Sur. India,45:703–708.
Ramasamy, S.M. (1996). Remote sensing and geomorphic processes modeling along Tamil Nadu coast, India. Int. Jour, of Remote Sensing (in press).
Ramasamy, S.M. (1990). Marine environment modeling using.thematic mapper data. NNRMS Bulletin,13: 43–44.
Ramasamy, S.M. (1989). Morpho- tectonic evolution of east and west coast of Indian peninsula. Geol. Sur. of India, Special Publish. Arabian Sea Seminar,24:333–339.
Ramasamy, S.M. and Balaji, S. (1995). Remote sensing and Pleistocene tectonics of Southern Indian Peninsula. Int. Jour, of Remote sensing, Taylors and Francis London,16(13): 2375–2391.
Ramasamy, S.M., Joyce, E.B and Ian Bishop (2001). Tectonically induced environmental problems on and off Pondicherry coast, Tamil Nadu, India-A vision throught remote sensing. 22nd Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, held at Singapore, Nov. 5-9,2001.
Sewell, R.B.S. (1935).Geographic and Occanographic research in Indian waters-VIII, Studies on corals and coral formations of Indian water. Mem. Asiat. Soc. Beng,9: 461–539.
Silas, E.G. Mahadevan, S. and Nayar, N. (1985). Existing and proposed marine park and reserves in India-A review. Proc. Symp. Endangered Marine Animais and Marine Parks, Cochain, Marine Biological Society of India,3: 36p.
Smith, S.V. and Buddemeier, (1993). Global change and coral reef ecosystems. Annual review of Ecological System,23: 89–118.
Stoddart, D.R. and Pillai, C.S.G. (1972). Raised reefs of Ramanathapuram district, south India. Trans. Institute, British Geographical Society,56:111–125.
Thanikachalam, M. and Ramachandran, S. (2002a). Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques for Monitoring and Conservation of Coral Reef in Gulf of Manar, Southeast Coast of India. Nat. Symp. Conservation of Eastern Gnats, held at Tirupathi from March 24-26, 2002, 112p.http://www.envis-eptri-org/images/abstracts.pdf
Thanikachalam, M. and Ramachandran, S. (2002b). Management of coral reefs in Gulf of Mannar using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques-with reference to coastal geomorphology and landuse. Map Asia 2002, Asian conference on GIS, GPS, Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing, held at Bankok from August 7-9, 2002,http:// www.gisdevelopment.net.
Thanikachalam, M. and Ramachandran, S. (2002c). Conservation of coral reefs in Gulf of Mannar: A remote sensing and GIS approach. Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG) Newsletter, Special Issue on Coastal & Marine Environment, 8(2&3): 65–71.
Thanikachalam, M. and Ramachandran, S. (2002d). Remote sensing and GIS techniques for mapping coastal geomorphology in Gulf of Mannar, southwest coast of Bay of Bengal. ISPRS Technical Commission VII Symposium on Resources and Environment Monitoring and ISRS Annual Convention, held at Hyderabad, India, pp.58–63.
UNEP (1985). Environmental problems of the marine and coastal areas of India. National Report, UNEP Regional Seas Report and Studies, 53: 33p.
UNEP/IUCN (1993). Marine protected areas needs in the South Asian Seas region. (Eds: John C. Pernetta). IUCN Publishers, Gland, Switzerland,2: 23–37
Venkataramanujam, K. and Santhanam, R. (1985). Coral reef fishery resources of Tuticorin (S. India). Proc. 5th Int. Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti,2: 391p.
Venkataramanujam, K. and Santhanam, R. (1989). Gorgonian resources of the east coast of India and methods of their conservation. Proc. 4th Int. Coral Reef Symp. Manila,1:259–262.
Venkataramanujam, R., Santhanam, R. and Sukamaran, N. (1981). Coral resources of Tuticorin (S. India) and methods of their conservation. Proc. 4th Int. Coral Reef Symp. Manila, pp.259–262.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Thanikachalam, M., Ramachandran, S. Shoreline and coral reef ecosystem changes in gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 31, 157–173 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03030823
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03030823