Ecology of Seagrass Habitats and its associated macrobenthic invertebrates in Andaman islands, India

Abstract

The diversity, composition, and growth of species in plant communities are shaped mainly by their complex interactions with local environmental settings. Owing to the unprecedented global decline of seagrasses, it is crucial to understand in-situ ecological interactions for informing mitigation measures. However, several ecological aspects of seagrass ecosystems are under-studied in the tropical Indian waters, which fall in the highly productive Indo-Pacific seagrass distribution bioregion, offering many socio-ecological services. In this context, my study aimed to address the ecological gaps in India's unique seagrass biodiversity hotspot, the insular archipelago called the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI). Objectives of the study were 1) To assess the spatial distribution patterns of seagrass habitats and associated macrobenthic invertebrates in the Andaman Islands, 2) To understand the seasonal variation in seagrass meadows and associated macrobenthic invertebrates, 3) To understand the structural diversity of seagrass meadows and its influence on associated macrobenthic invertebrates, and 4) To document the Traditional Ecological Knowledge on seagrass habitats. The field study was carried out between 2018 and 2022, with a significant sampling period between January and May, as it is the best feasible season for fieldwork in ANI. The spatial diversity, distribution, and growth of seagrasses in the present study were primarily governed by the water depth, habitat heterogeneity, substrate types, and availability. The study suggests that any alterations in the benthic habitat profile of these meadows are likely to affect the species distribution patterns and overall ecological services offered