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Two books, Technology ManualandResource Manual, released and
distributed
CHENNAI:
A programme on bioresources was conducted for students at Shri
M.V. Arunachalam Technology Resource Centre, Vadakkambadi.
The valedictory function of the 30-day vacation training programme
was celebrated on June 10. K. Venkataraman, member secretary,
National Biodiversity Authority, spoke on the importance of
preserving the ecosystem. He released two books, Technology Manual
and Resource Manual, which were distributed to the students.
Mr. Venkataraman said that diversity was much greater in the sea
than on land or freshwater in the higher taxonomic levels.
"The marine ecosystem is dominated by different plants and animals,
thus forming a variety of ecosystem types, including highly
productive salt marsh and mangrove ecosystems, sea grass, reefs
dominated by marine algae and invertebrates, sponges, bryozoan beds,
and shelly mud habitats," he said.
Marine ecosystems and their diversity are important for various
reasons, such as the ecological services they provide. Some of the
ecological service are pollutant absorption, climate regulation,
prevention of coastal and seabed erosion, maintenance of water
quality, storage and recycling of nutrients, and the production of
some kinds of sand and rock, food, medicines and industrial
products, recreational benefits, and research and education. They
also act as indicators of environmental change, he said.
He also spoke about the importance of coral reefs. The survival of
coral reefs, which have been around for 20 million years, has become
uncertain owing to global warming, and pollution, among other
factors. These factors have led to a decrease in the coral
population.
"The corals are vulnerable because they are near coastlines and near
the surface of the ocean. Healthy coral reefs foster diversity of
species. Fungi, sponges, molluscs, oysters, clams, crabs, shrimps,
sea urchins, turtles and many fish seek food and shelter amid the
reefs," he said.
He described how sea cucumbers, worms and molluscs burrow into sand
generated by the reefs to hide from their enemies. Pointing out that
more than 50 per cent of the corals in the Indian Ocean were lost,
he said that the intensity of the tsunami could have been decreased
if the corals in the ocean had been conserved.
K. Perumal, Senior Scientist, Murugappa Chettiar Resource Centre; S.
Seshadri, Deputy Director and Head; and V. Chakrapani, course co-ordinator,
participated in the programme. Sixteen representatives from schools
and parents of 30 students participated in the programme.
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