http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/1494 Search the Channel search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/simple-search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/4170 Title: Mangrove ecosystems of the Indian Ocean region <br/> <br/>Authors: Kathiresan, K.; Rajendran, N. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Covering about 47 % of world’s mangrove area, containing 85 % of world’s mangrove species, and occurring in a variety of habitats, the mangrove ecosystem plays a vital role in coastal biodiversity of 30 countries bordering the Indian Ocean. This ecosystem supports a rich species diversity of flora and fauna, but it is facing heavy human pressures and natural stresses, leading to a loss in biodiversity. This calls for urgent measures of conservation and management. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 104-113 http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/1552 Title: Participatory monitoring of changes in coastal and marine biodiversity <br/> <br/>Authors: Wagner, Greg M. <br/> <br/>Abstract: This study reports results obtained from participatory monitoring conducted in Tanzania in two types of keystone ecosystems, mangrove forests and coral reefs. The report also analyses participatory monitoring as an effective tool in environmental conservation and management. Participatory monitoring data collected from three mangrove areas subjected to different levels of human impacts, low, moderate and high, clearly indicated the effects on mangrove basal area and species diversity. Participatory coral reef monitoring clearly showed degradation due to human impacts in one are and definite positive trends over time due to management interventions in another area. Participatory monitoring produces large amounts of informative data in a short time at low cost. Moreover, it has profound positive impact on the participants in terms of enhancing their environmental awareness, creating a feeling of “ownership” of the environment and motivating them to protect and restore the ecosystems they monitor. However, in order for participatory monitoring to be successful, there should be proper selection of participants, adequate training and on-going supervision by experts. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 136-146 http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/1550 Title: MASDEAMarine species database for Eastern Africa <br/> <br/>Authors: Berghe, Edward Vanden <br/> <br/>Abstract: The Marine Species Database for Eastern Africa (MASDEA) was started in 1996, in the framework of a collaborative project between the Regional Cooperation in Scientific Information Exchange – Western Indian Ocean (RECOSCIX-WIO) and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). Since then, it has grown to a substantial database, with over 20,000 taxonomic and 50,000 distribution records. Since 1999, the database has been online, through the web server of the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), and has attracted a reasonable amount of hits, some resulting in comments, and corrections and additions to the content. Some of the decisions taken at the design stage of the database are discussed. A preliminary analysis of the data in the database is presented. This clearly shows a marked ‘observer’ bias, and demonstrates the need to continue the efforts of collecting information. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 128-135 http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/1549 Title: IndOBIS, an Ocean Biogeographic Information System for assessment and conservation of Indian Ocean biodiversity <br/> <br/>Authors: Chavan, Vishwas; Achuthankutty, C. T.; Berghe, Edward Vanden; Wafar, Mohideen <br/> <br/>Abstract: Compilation of inventories of components of coastal and marine biodiversity of Indian Ocean is hampered by several factors: low effort by some countries, preference to certain taxon, dwindling taxonomic expertise, low infrastructure of Information Technology, databases that are scattered and often non-interoperable, inconsistent reporting and a marked reluctance to share data and information. The creation of the Indian Ocean node of the Ocean Biogeographic Information System is meant to overcome some of these constraints. Benefiting from progress in Information Technology and building on the global efforts on understanding what lives in our seas, the IndOBIS aims to grow into a self-sustaining and collectively supported process of information collation, analysis and dissemination, serving the countries of the region and the international scientific community. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 120-127