Triple trouble for Gulf of Mannar islands, study finds

Triple trouble for Gulf of Mannar islands, study finds

Subject: Environment

Section: Places in news

Context: An invasive plant from South America is threatening to pulverise indigenous plants across the 21 islands where 96 species of birds have been recorded.

More on the News:

• An alien invasive plant is threatening to pulverise native vegetation across 21 islands in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR), an avian distribution study has revealed.
• Prosopis chilensis, a drought-resistant plant native to the arid regions of four South American countries — Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru — is not the only trouble for these islands divided into the Tuticorin, Vembar, Kilakkarai, and Mandapam groups.
• The coral reef has been destroyed in several places near these islands although coral quarrying for industrial purposes has been outlawed, the study published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa said.

Prosopis chilensis:

• The Prosopis chilensis is also known as Chilean mesquite.
• It is a small to medium-sized legume tree that grows up to 12 m in height and 1 m in diameter.
• It is a drought-resistant plant native to the arid regions of four South American countries namely Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
• The tree has a deep root system, which enables it to access water from underground aquifers and makes it resistant to drought.
• Prosopis chilensis is used for several purposes, including as a source of firewood, charcoal, and tanni Its wood is also used for making furniture and as a material for construction.
• The tree is known for its ability to fix nitrogen from the air, which makes it useful for improving soil fertility.
• In some regions, the pods of Prosopis chilensis are used as a food source for humans and livestock. The pods are rich in protein and have a sweet flavor.
• Prosopis chilensis is also considered an invasive species in some parts of the world, including Australia and South Africa, where it has displaced native vegetation and altered ecosystem dynamics.

Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR):

• Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve is a protected area located in the southeastern coast of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu. It was established in 1989.
• The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve includes a marine national park, 21 islands, and the adjacent coral reefs.
• The area is known for its high marine biodiversity and is home to many threatened species, including the sea cow (dugong) and various species of sea turtles.
• Apart from the marine ecosystem, the reserve also includes several terrestrial ecosystems such as mangroves, forests, and grasslands. The reserve is home to many endemic plant species, including the mangrove palm and the sea hibiscus.
• The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
• It is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South East Asia.