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Abstract:
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The South West (S.W.) coast of India is blessed with a series of wetland systems popularly
referred to as backwaters covering a total area of 46128.94 ha. These backwaters are
internationally renowned for their aesthetic and scientific values including being a repository
for several species fish and shell fishes. This is more significant in that three wetlands
(Vembanad, Sasthamcotta and Ashtamudi) have recently been designated as Ramsar sites of
international importance. Thirty major backwaters forming the crux of the coastal wetlands
form an abode for over 200 resident or migratory fish and shellfish species. The fishing
activities in these water bodies provide the livelihood to about 200,000 fishers and also provide
full-time employment to over 50,000 fishermen. This paper describes the changes on the
environmental and biodiversity status of selected wetlands, during 1994-2005 period. The pH
was generally near neutral to alkaline in range. The salinity values indicated mixohaline
condition ranging from 5.20-32.38 ppt. in the 12 wetlands. The productivity values were
generally low in most of the wetlands during the study, where the gross production varied
from 0.22 gC/m3/day in Kadinamkulam to 1.10 gC/m3/day in the Kayamkulam. The diversity
of plankton and benthos was more during the pre-monsoon compared to the monsoon and
post-monsoon periods in most of the wetlands. The diversity of plankton and benthos was
more during the pre-monsoon compared to the monsoon and post-monsoon periods in most of
the wetlands. The average fish yield per ha. varied from 246 kg. in Valapattanam to 2747.3 kg.
in Azhikode wetland. Retting of coconut husk in most of the wetlands led to acidic pH
conditions with anoxia resulting in the production of high amounts of sulphide, coupled with
high carbon dioxide values leading to drastic reduction in the incidence and abundance of
plankton, benthic fauna and the fishery resources. The major fish species recorded from the
investigation were Etroplus suratensis, E. maculatus, Channa marulius, Labeo dussumieri, Puntius
sp. Lutianus argentimaculatus, Mystus sp., Tachysurus sp. and Hemiramphus sp. The majority of
these backwaters are highly stressed, especially during the pre monsoon period when the
retting activity is at its peak. The study has clearly reflected that a more restrained and cautious
approach is needed to manage and preserve the unique backwater ecosystems of South-west
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