All is not well in Lakshadweep. Why the island could be in big trouble
Lakshadweep renowned for its pristine atolls, breathtaking reefs, and idyllic inhabited islands is currently grappling with an unprecedented crisis as widespread coral bleaching has been recorded due to marine heatwaves.
ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute on Monday said that widespread bleaching event is being observed in the Lakshadweep Sea.Â
Marine heatwaves are extreme weather events that involve prolonged periods of abnormally high ocean temperatures, often exceeding the 90th percentile of typical regional ocean temperatures based on historical data.Â
In Lakshadweep, the Degree Heating Week (DHW) indicator, which measures accumulated heat stress, has surged above 4 degrees Celsius-weeks, posing a substantial risk of coral bleaching.
Coral bleaching occurs when the water temperature becomes excessively warm, causing corals to expel the microscopic algae residing within their tissues. This results in the corals’ transparent tissues revealing their white skeleton, a phenomenon known as coral bleaching. Bleached corals are not dead but are at risk of starvation and disease.
The consequences of marine heatwaves and coral bleaching extend beyond Lakshadweep. (Photo: Getty)
The Lakshadweep Sea has experienced temperatures 1 degree Celsius above the norm since October 27, 2023, with shifts in ocean currents contributing to unusually high water temperatures. The current event surpasses previous instances in 1998, 2010, and 2015, indicating the severity of the crisis.
The consequences of marine heatwaves and coral bleaching extend beyond Lakshadweep, posing threats to the livelihoods of coastal communities, tourism, and fisheries sectors, and critical marine habitats, including seagrass meadows. Similar to corals, seagrass meadows and kelp forests are experiencing detrimental impacts such as impaired photosynthesis, reduced growth, and hindered reproductive functions due to the heatwaves.
The Lakshadweep Islands also face a troubling future as far as rising sea levels are concerned.Â
A study conducted by IIT Kharagpur and the Department of Science & Technology predicts an alarming sea level rise of 0.4-0.9 mm/year for this archipelago. As ocean water encroaches on the land, it causes coastal erosion and land loss, leading to the accumulation of organic matter and preventing the formation of new corals.
The Indian Ocean basin, the fastest warming basin in the world, will see accelerated warming at a rate of 1.7 degrees Celsius-3.8 degrees Celsius per century during 2020-2100, leading to an increase in severe weather events, prolonged marine heatwaves, and extreme Indian Ocean Dipole events that will influence the monsoon and cyclone development.
A dire prediction from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) already has marine biologists on high alert following a series of record-breaking ocean temperatures driven by climate change and the El Nino climate pattern.
The crisis in Lakshadweep calls for urgent action to mitigate the impacts of marine heatwaves and coral bleaching. Better insights into marine heatwaves and how different species cope with them will improve fisheries’ resilience.Â