Coral reef ecosystem - Monitoring and assessment using satellite data sets

Remaining in splendid isolation, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a great relevance in the study of marine ecosystems. The islands, though remotely located in an ostensibly pristine environment have born witness to serious issues with regard to their ecosystem health. There are significant changes in the temperature and rain fall pattern in the islands and predictive modelling has forecasted further damage in the near future. The inundation of saline water into inland terrestrial ecosystems has created salinity stress to freshwater species while reducing the water available for domestic consumption. Terrestrial flora and fauna are vulnerable to the intruding saline waters. The marine ecosystem also faces grave challenges. There are issues of anthropogenic pollution resulting in damage of corals, regime shifts in community structure, water quality deterioration and other damage to marine fauna