Coral reefs of the Anthropocene are facing uncertain futures due to the rising intensity of climatic disturbances and reduced recovery windows. These disturbances can significantly alter reef functioning leading to reefs with different coral composition as well as altered growth and recovery potential. Changing reefs could have dire consequences to the livelihoods and food security of coastal communities. This has necessitated conservation approaches to be cognizant towards changing reef configurations as well as local dependence on reef ecosystem services. Managing local drivers of decline can safeguard reef resilience and buffer the inevitable consequences of climate-induced stressors. However, the lack of evidence or the tools required to implement informed management action has led to approaches that are either top-down or limited in spatial scope. This project aims to address these conservation gaps by advancing three key themes of inclusive conservation: enhancing research on reef condition, empowering local stakeholders in management, and developing localised solutions to conserve the threatened reefs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The primary evidence generated from this research will feed into the development of a solution-focussed web-based tool for managers. Similarly, to ensure long term continuity of these efforts, the Backyard Reef Monitoring Network (a network bringing together stakeholders) will generate openly accessible reef health databases to support adaptive management.
Coastal habitats are under immense pressure. Pressed for space on one side for urban and economic development and pushed by the rising seas from another direction. This coastal squeeze results in constraining ecologically critical habitats to withstand rapid change. Resulting bio-physical impacts lead to poor habitat quality for flora and fauna, lowering overall resilience of the system. Not understanding how these coastal ecosystems are responding to such drivers is a major gap limiting our ability for adaptation planning. For example, all coastal areas now experience a heightened risk of erosion due to storm surges and extreme weather events, but there is no data on surface elevation changes at a local level. We propose to utilize a network of long-term monitoring sites from major protected areas of the country to determine the coastal ecosystem’s response to the sea level rise (SLR). By collecting scientific data on coastal geomorphology, sediment accumulation, vegetation structure and carbon dynamics, one can determine habitat health and understand long‐term resilience of these vulnerable areas. The proposed monitoring will be carried out at Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (West Bengal), Bhitarkanika NP (Odisha), Coringa WLS (Andhra Pradesh), and Pichavaram mangroves (Tamil Nadu) using scientifically robust protocols and experimental designs.
Himalayan oak forests, in the mid-altitudes of the Western Himalayas, possess dense canopies, complex habitat structure and rich taxonomic and functional diversity. These forests are home to diverse floral and faunal species, many of which are endangered and/or endemic to the Himalayas such as the Himalayan palm, the Rufous - bellied Woodpecker, the leopard and the Golden Birdwing butterfly. Earlier research by CEDAR has found that oak forests are degraded by historical modifications, over-exploitation, warming and climate change and possibly altered fire regimes which have caused degradation, as evidenced by local species losses and poor tree regeneration. Except in a few sites, oak forests now exist as fragments with reduced functionality for biological conservation and ecosystem services. Despite the recognized social-ecological importance of these forests, there is little coordinated conservation action towards restoration of oak forest fragments principally due to the lack of rigorous data and awareness about ecological status and degradation. Through mapping and studying remnant oak forests in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, and creating spatially referenced databases on species, and health of tree regeneration we will provide a strong scientific basis for restoration of this biome. Further, the identification of the drivers of degradation and areal loss will advise future management by governments.
While the Ganges River Dolphin is categorised as Endangered on IUCN Red List and included in the Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, no detailed studies exist on them in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly River system since 2010. Their survival in this river system is also threatened by accidental killing through entanglement in fishing gear; deliberate killing, generally for dolphin oil; and overexploitation of prey, mainly due to the widespread use of non-selective fishing gear. For their conservation, NEWS has an action plan. They aim to update the population status and map the current distribution of the Ganges River Dolphin and associated faunas like gharial, Smooth- coated Otter, softshell turtle and fishes in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly riverine system. Additionally, they will engage local communities through training and promote sustainable fishing gears to mitigate inadvertent killing of dolphins as bycatch. A Dolphin Conservation Network will also be formed for all stakeholders to interact, and local youths will be trained as stewards for regular monitoring and to generate alternative livelihood means via ecotourism.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known for their marine diversity, but they are also home to numerous karst land caves – which are not included in the global karst land map. Caves are the most significant landforms in karst lands and have been silent witnesses of Earth’s evolution and the rise of human civilizations. Caves have retained and protected important pieces of Earth’s long and tumultuous geological past. These range from ancient mineral deposits, long-gone oceans and early life forms to unique cave-adapted organisms, extinct megafauna remains and the early manifestation of human art.
For over two decades, it is known that there are close to 400 limestone karstic caves in around 23 islands here. Of these, around 200 caves are protected to save the Edible-nest Swiftlet breeding inside them. These unique limestone caves in the karst lands hold terrestrial and aquatic microhabitats bearing several known and unknown species, and are under tremendous anthropogenic pressure. Also, as caves and other karst geo-forms are very attractive geo-tourism sites, it is essential to have guidelines for their sustainable use as these tropical islands, with harsh climatic conditions, have limited natural resources for economic development.
SACON proposes a sustainable approach for the comprehensive management of cave habitats. The current proposal attempts to understand sustainable strategies for the conservation of the cave habitats at three sites in North and Middle Andaman Islands: Baratang Island, Chalis-ek, and the Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary of Middle Andaman. These caves are known to bear endemic and threatened fauna (including Andaman Horseshoe Bat and the recently discovered Ravi Sankaran’s Rock Shrimp).
For the same, SACON aims to collect, process and evaluate the data required for preparing the cave conservation plan. They will also identify the constraints, threats, and opportunities for conserving the caves and the surrounding karst areas. Lastly, they will prepare the conservation plan for the select caves and surrounding karst lands. This will be done with a participatory approach with the local communities and will also generate livelihood.
