Govt. of India Project on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve’s Coastal Biodiversity National Research and Monitoring Moderation Workshop Compilation of Research Papers Volume I V.K. Melkani V. Naganathan R. Uma Maheswari Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust Ramanathapuram - 623 501, Tamilnadu December 2006 Citation: V.K. Melkani, V. Naganathan and R. Uma maheswarai 2006. Compilation of Research papers, National Research & Monitoring Moderation Workshop, 15 - 16th, Dec. Madurai. This publication has no commercial value. It is for circulation only. December 2006 Sponsored by Global Environment Facility and United Nations Developmental Programme New Delhi Edited and Published by Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust Ramanathapuram - 623 501, Tamil nadu, India Editor’s Address V.K. Melkani, V. Naganathan, R. Uma maheswari Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust 366, Solaikili Towers, Vandikara Street, Ramanathapuram - 623 501, Tamil Nadu, India. Ph: 04567 – 226 335, Fax: 04567 - 229 228, E-mail:
[email protected] Authors are exclusively responsible for the content of their manuscripts, including appropriate citations and for obtaining necessary prior permission from the original publisher for reproduc- tion of figures, tables and text (in whole or in part) from previous publications. Publishers and editors do not accept any legal responsibility for errors, omissions, and copyright violations of authors and claims of whatsoever. Cover page design by M. Mohamed Farook, GOMBRT. Front cover 1 2 34 1. Coral reef of Gulf of Mannar (Acropora spp.) - Photo credit SDMRI, Tuticorin 2. Green Turtle - Photo credit Mr. Karthik Shanker ATREE 3. Pamban boat yard - Photo credit V. Naganathan 4.