Coral Reefs |
Why in News: A recent publication in a scientific journal suggests that coral growth and reef development are more greatly endangered by global warming compared to ocean acidification (OA).
About Coral Reefs:
- Corals are oceanic invertebrates.
- Corals have a mutualistic relationship with single-celled algae known as zooxanthellae.
- Referred to as the Rainforests of the Sea, coral reefs sustain more than a quarter of marine biodiversity while covering merely 1% of the ocean floor.
Coral Bleaching:
This phenomenon happens when corals face environmental stress triggered by fluctuations in temperature, pollution, or heightened levels of ocean acidity.
Status of Global Coral Reefs: The 2020 report on the Status of Coral Reefs of the World, collaborated on by UNEP, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, and diverse international collaborators, indicates a decline of 14% in the world’s coral coverage from 2009 to 2018. |
Short-Lived Halogens |
Why in News: A recent research finding suggests that oceans emit short-lived halogens such as chlorine, bromine, and iodine, which are crucial for regulating the planet’s temperature.
About Short-Lived Halogens:
- Properties:Short-lived halogens consist of chlorine, bromine, and iodine compounds with a lifespan of less than six months in the atmosphere.
- Effects on Earth’s Climate: These elements influence the Earth’s climate by contributing to both cooling and warming effects.
Myristica Swamps |
Why in News: Naturalists have recently cautioned that the Myristica swamp in Kerala is experiencing subsidence.
About Myristica Swamps:
- Location:Myristica swamps are predominantly situated in the Western Ghats of southwestern India and Southeast Asia, encompassing regions like New Guinea.
- Environmental Characteristics: These swamps are distinguished by their waterlogged and acidic habitats, typically occupying low-lying areas.
- Features:Myristica swamps are renowned for harboring Myristica malabarica trees, commonly known as Malabar Nutmeg. These trees exhibit adaptations such as stilt roots and pneumatophores to thrive in waterlogged conditions.
Migratory birds arrive in Odisha’s Chilika Lake |
Why in News: This year, migratory birds have commenced their yearly migration to Chilika, which is India’s largest waterbird habitat located in Odisha, in anticipation of the winter season.
Reason for Early Migration:
- The birds may have initiated their journey to Chilika earlier than usual due to the early onset of winter in their native habitats, prompting them to cover millions of kilometers despite colder temperatures not yet prevailing.
Chilika Lake:
- Geographical Features: Chilika Lake is a brackish water lake and a shallow lagoon with estuarine characteristics, spanning across Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam districts in Odisha, situated at the mouth of the Daya River.
- Recognition and Conservation Status:In 1981, Chilika Lake was accorded the status of the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Additionally, it has been included on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Notably, it was delisted from the Montreux record in 2002.
Nalabana Island:
- Status as a Bird Sanctuary:Nalabana Island was declared a bird sanctuary in 1973 under the Wildlife Protection Act. During winter, as the monsoon recedes, water levels decrease, gradually revealing the island.
- Significance as a Wintering Ground: Chilika Lake serves as the most significant wintering ground for migratory waterfowl across the Indian subcontinent.
Brazzaville Summit |
Why in News: The Brazzaville Summit of the Three Basins concluded with the Heads of State and Governments issuing a declaration.
About Brazzaville Summit:
Delegates from countries within the Amazon, Congo, and Borneo-Mekong-Southeast Asia basins participated in the Brazzaville Summit.
- Key Emphases of the Summit:
- The Summit underscored the importance of enhancing South-South governance, particularly concerning the ecosystems of the Amazon, Congo, and Borneo-Mekong/Southeast Asia.
- It acknowledged the significance of sovereign management of biodiversity, forests, and associated resources within these three basins.
- Importance of the Basins:These basins collectively account for approximately three-quarters of global biodiversity and 80% of the world’s forest cover.
- Origination and Objective:The Brazzaville Declaration was signed in 2018 by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Republic of Congo, and Indonesia. Its primary aim is to safeguard the Cuvette Centrale region, a tropical peatland within the Congo Basin, from unregulated land use and prevent its drainage and degradation.
About the Three Basins: l Congo Basin: Referred to as the “lungs of Africa,” the Congo Basin stands as the largest carbon sink globally. This basin extends across six countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. Amazon Basin: The Amazon Basin encompasses a vast biome spanning Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Borneo-Mekong-Southeast Asia Basin: This basin constitutes the world’s third-largest carbon sink and comprises two sub-regions: the island of Borneo and the Mekong River. |