Chintapalle emerges as coral hotspot in Vizag reef survey
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Visakhapatnam: A recent study, conducted by researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) across 15 sampling sites along the Visakhapatnam coast from Pudimadaka to Chintapalle, has identified 15 coral species, representing 12 genera and nine families.
Among these sites, Chintapalle recorded the highest diversity with 12 species, followed by Rushikonda (six species), Pudimadaka (five), and Mangamaripeta (three).
Three coral families, including Poritidae, Agariciidae, and Dendrophylliidae, emerged as particularly dominant across all surveyed locations. The highest live coral cover was observed at Chintapalle beach (23%), followed by Rushikonda (20%), Pudimadaka (15%), and Mangamaripeta (5%).
Analytical comparisons revealed that Chintapalle and Rushikonda formed a distinct cluster due to their richer species diversity and greater coral cover, likely attributable to their proximity and similar habitat characteristics.
In contrast, Pudimadaka and Mangamaripeta appeared more ecologically isolated, a pattern driven by lower species richness and differing benthic features.
The study — said to be the first of its kind in the region in recent years or perhaps decades — was carried out over a four-year period from 2019 to 2023, employing Scuba diving and digital photography.
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It was undertaken by a research team from the Zoological Survey of India (Kolkata), and Sunderban regional centre (Canning), comprising Joseph Stanley Yogesh Kumar, Arya Sen, Pradip Panda, and Chelladurai Raghunathan.
The study was published in the 'Environmental Science Archives' journal two weeks ago.
Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that support rich marine biodiversity and contribute significantly to the ecological and economic well-being of coastal communities.
"Among the sites studied, Chintapalle beach exhibited the greatest coral diversity, followed by Rushikonda, Pudimadaka, and Mangamaripeta. This variation in species richness is likely influenced by factors such as depth, habitat structure, and local environmental conditions.
The highest percentage of live coral cover at Chintapalle also indicates a healthier reef ecosystem, in contrast to Mangamaripeta, which recorded only 5% live coral cover," noted the researchers.
The ecological implications of these findings are considerable. Elevated coral diversity is frequently linked to increased structural complexity, which provides essential habitats for a wide array of marine organisms, including fish and invertebrates. A diverse coral community enhances reef resilience to environmental stressors such as climate change and pollution. However, the disparities in coral cover and species diversity across the sites also highlight the vulnerability of certain areas — particularly Mangamaripeta beach — which may warrant targeted conservation interventions to restore ecological integrity, they said.
"Given the escalating threats to coral reefs globally, including climate change and anthropogenic pressures, there is an urgency of implementing effective management strategies. Targeted measures such as habitat restoration, sustained monitoring, and community engagement are crucial for safeguarding the ecological integrity and ecosystem services of coral reefs along Andhra Pradesh coastline. Such efforts will not only fortify the resilience of these critical marine habitats but also ensure their continued contribution to the ecological and economic health of coastal communities," the researchers added.
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