Environment and Ecology
World’s Largest Known Living Coral Colony Discovered in Lakshadweep
- Context: Researchers have identified what may be the largest known living coral colony in the world near Kadmat Island.
- The coral colony, locally called “Potato Patch”, belongs to the species Pavona clavus.
- The discovery was made during a marine biodiversity survey in Lakshadweep.
Age
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- Estimated to be 700–1,800 years old based on preliminary growth-rate calculations.
- Age confirmation requires scientific methods such as: Sclerochronology, Radiometric dating
Scientific Significance
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- Appears to be the largest documented living colony of Pavona clavus globally.
- Larger than previously reported giant coral colonies in: Great Barrier Reef, Red Sea, Solomon Islands
- Represents a rare long-lived coral structure with valuable biological and climatic records.
Ecological Importance
- About 58.47% of the coral tissue remains alive, indicating relatively good health.
- Supports diverse fish communities and marine biodiversity.
- Acts as a potential refuge for long-lived coral colonies in the Indian Ocean.
Threats
- Faces risks from: Coral bleaching, Marine heatwaves, Tropical cyclones, El Niño events
- Previous El Niño events (1998, 2010, 2016) caused major coral mortality in Lakshadweep reefs.
