Research Projects

Sea surface temperature (SST) is a fundamental physical variable for understanding, quantifying and predicting complex interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. Such processes determine how heat from the sun is redistributed across the global oceans, directly impacting large- and small-scale weather and climate patterns. Climate change is driving changes in the physical and chemical properties of the ocean that have consequences for marine ecosystems Increasing sea surface temperatures affect marine species and ecosystems. The sea absorbs most of the excess heat from GHG’s it leads to the increase of sea temperatures. The increasing temperature cause coral bleaching and leads the coral reef to death. fishes, mammals and sea birds in the marine ecosystem all are at risk from increasing temperatures, loss of breeding grounds and mass movements as species search for favourable environmental conditions. This affects the ecological balance of the coastal ecosystem. In view of the above factors, the study is designed with the aim of assessing the climate change impact on marine biodiversity in the coastal region of the Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve area and also to mitigate issues with the development of scientific strategies. The change in the land use pattern will be studied using the advanced remote sensing and GIS techniques using high resolution satellite imageries. Using the Multidated satellite images of the last three decades, Sea Surface temperature (SST) will be analysed with an overlay method and the change detection method. Climate change models will be developed using modelling software. The result from this study will provide an overall up-to-dated information about the sea surface temperature and its impact on marine ecosystems. Map overlay analysis could be carried out on relevant parameters to identify the vulnerable area to conserve. The outcome from the study will help in understanding the land use/land cover patterns, interaction of climatic factors, identifying vulnerable areas and its sources and also help in prediction of future patterns which will help in proper management and planning strategies for Gulf of Mannar. To propose mitigation and adaptation strategies to reduce the impact of climate change.