Economic and Social Issues of Biodiversity Loss In Cochin Backwaters BY DR.K T THOMSON READER SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL FISHERIES COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COCHIN 680 016
[email protected] To 1 The Kerala research Programme on local level development Centre for development studies, Trivandrum This study was carried out at the School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin during the period 19991999--2001 with financial support from the Kerala Research Programme on Local Level Development, Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum. Principal investigator: Dr. K. T. Thomson Research fellows: Ms Deepa Joy Mrs. Susan Abraham 2 Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The specific objectives of our study are 1.3 Conceptual framework and analytical methods 1.4 Scope of the study 1.5 Sources of data and modes of data collection 1.6 Limitations of the study Annexure 1.1 List of major estuaries in Kerala Annexure 1.2 Stakeholders in the Cochin backwaters Chapter 2 Species Diversity And Ecosystem Functions Of Cochin Backwaters 2.1 Factors influencing productivity of backwaters 2.1.1 Physical conditions of water 2.1.2 Chemical conditions of water 2.2 Major phytoplankton species available in Cochin backwaters 2.2.1 Distribution of benthic fauna in Cochin backwaters 2.2.2 Diversity of mangroves in Cochin backwaters 2.2.3 Fish and shellfish diversity 2.3 Diversity of ecological services and functions of Cochin backwaters 2.4 Summary and conclusions Chapter 3 Resource users of Cochin backwaters 3.1 Ecosystem communities of Kochi kayal 3.2 Distribution of population 3.1.1 Cultivators and agricultural labourers.