Wednesday, 30 March 2011

Initial Findings of Effects of the 2004 Earthquake/Tsunami on Marine Ecosystems


General Impacts by the Tsunami
§   Damage to structure and function of coastal ecosystems: coral reefs, mangroves, sea grasses, estuarine mudlfats
§   Physical damage – physical removal of flora, fauna, reefs, sea grasses and increased sedimentation
o     Physical damage by wave energy – on “shallow near shore habitats (those of coral reefs, sea grasses and mangroves)
§   Chemical changes – saltwater intrusion, eutrophication, sewage
§   Change in ecosystems – different species from different trophic levels were taken away or disrupted 

Specific References to Seagrass: 
 - Indonesia: 20% of seagrass beds, 30% of coral reefs, 25-35% of wetlands were damaged on west coast
- Thailand: 10% damage of seagrass beds

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