Status, issues, and challenges of biodiversity: Marine biota
Yadav, D.S.; Rani, A.; Dubey, S.; Bast, F. (2022). Status, issues, and challenges of biodiversity: Marine biota, in: Kaur, S. et al. Biodiversity in India: Status, issues and challenges. pp. 363-383. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9777-7_15
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| Keywords |
Biodiversity
Seaweed
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Diversity indices; Coral mining; Conservation strategy |
| Authors | | Top |
- Yadav, D.S.
- Rani, A.
- Dubey, S.
- Bast, F.
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| Abstract |
India is one of the mega biodiversity countries, owing to its tropical location and warm climate. With more than 7500 km, India is blessed with a long coastline—one of the longest in the world. However, marine biodiversity remains poorly documented compared with that of terrestrial biodiversity. On top of it, the threats from climate change are imminent and have already started wreaking havoc on species diversity, for instance, ocean acidification causing coral bleaching in the atolls of the Laccadive Islands. A systematic approach to acquiring complete and exhaustive knowledge about marine biodiversity may help us understand the extent of anthropogenic damage and take appropriate actions and policies to prevent further loss. Currently, we merely know the tip of the global biodiversity iceberg; with merely 1.3 million species characterized yet, estimates suggest there might be around 9 million species of eukaryotes alone. Conserving biodiversity is crucial not only for ecosystem services but also for future generations as a possible revenue generator—the so called bequest value. This chapter reviews the status of marine biodiversity along India’s coasts, efforts on its economic utilization, and the impact of climate change. |
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