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The ocean covers 70.8% of the earth's surface, with 70% of water having a depth above 300 m. The penetration of light in the sea water is important factor to regulate the sea life. The reduced level of sun light can reach up to the depth of 200 m, and this light-penetration zone of the ocean is known as 'Euphoric Zone' which abounds with high density of sea life, although life exist in deep water also. |
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Temperature, salinity and depth of water are the chief barriers against free movement of marine organisms. Many kinds of waves, tides, cyclones and currents etc. in sea influence the physical and biological conditions of the marine ecosystems. |
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Richness increases with productivity, geological and climatic stability and decreasing latitude. Gulfs in the tropical zone are considered to be important areas for diversity and reproduction of marine life. |
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| Marine ecosystems in Gujarat can be classified in to: |
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Coral reefs |
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Mangroves : (a) Dense mangroves and (b) Scrub mangroves |
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Mudflats : (a) High tidal (b) Inter tidal (c) Low tidal (iv) Algal bed (v) Marsh vegetation (vi) Creeks (vii) Salt encrustation (viii) Estuaries (ix) Salt pan
(x) Sandy beach /coasts (xi) Rocky beach (xii) True saline desert (xiii) Bets
(xiv) Island systems in the Gulf(bets) (xv) Gulf water - Gulfs of Kutch and Khambhat and (xvi) Open sea water. |
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Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat are the two Gulfs in Gujarat state, out of total three in the country. The vast coastline of Gujarat has a remarkable feature' of the extreme diversity of ecosystems i.e. coastal sands, estuaries, bays, muddy and rocky areas, coral reefs and mangroves. Gulf to Kutch, covering an area of 7350 sq. km. with its shallow inertial zone and chain of islands, has one of the richest marine habitats in this subcontinent. The entire southern coast of the Gulf in Jamnagar district is ringed by cluster of 42 islands, many of them are fringed by coral reefs and bear mangrove vegetation. |
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The National Committee on Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs constituted by the Government of India has identified mangroves and coral reefs in the Gulf of Kutch for intensive conservation and development. |
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