Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Comparison of seagrass restoration methods adopted in Palk Bay, India 

Volume 62 Issue 1

V. Balaji, V. Sekar and G. Murugesan

doi:10.6024/jmbai.2020.62.1.2137-13

Abstract

Seagrass habitats are under serious threat from diverse natural and human pressures, and calls for restoration measures to revive these invaluable habitats along the coast of India. This study compares three types of seagrass sprig restoration methods, namely PVC frames, bamboo frames and coir nets, to identify the best ecofriendly and cost-effective method suitable for community-based seagrass restoration projects. This study found that recovery of PVC frame for reuse partly damaged rhizomes. The cost for labour and materials for bamboo and coir method is lesser than the PVC frames. Coir ropes are flexible, light weight, easily available and the nets can be fabricated locally unlike PVC frames, the tubes for which have to be sourced from elsewhere. Coir nets can be tied with large number of seagrass sprigs fast, needs no technical manpower, and can be done involving local communities. This study observed more macrofaunal settlements in coir plots than bamboo and PVC frames. The material cost of bamboo frame was 46% lesser than the PVC frame, and same cost of coir frame was 102% lesser than the PVC frame. The labour cost of bamboo frame was 47% lesser than the PVC frame, and the same cost of coir frame was 33% lesser than the PVC frame. Thus, naturally degradable bamboo and coir nets are better, whereas coconut coir net method is the best as it is relatively of low cost, easily available and suitable for large scale, communitybased seagrass restoration.

Keywords

Seagrass restoration, Palk Bay, dugongs, community-based conservation, Cymodocea serrulata, Syringodium isoetifolium

Date : 30-07-2020