Abstract:
The Pulicat mangrove ecosystem, situated within India's second-largest brackish water lagoon, is a
dynamic coastal habitat that supports rich biodiversity, maintains ecological balance, and provides
essential ecosystem services. These mangrove forests protect shorelines from erosion, sustain fisheries,
improve water quality, and enhance the adaptive capacity of coastal landscapes in the face of increasing
environmental change. Despite their ecological importance, the ecosystem is increasingly affected by
habitat degradation, pollution, rapid urbanization, and climate-related disturbances, threatening its longterm stability. This study evaluates the resilience of the Pulicat mangrove ecosystem through an
integrated assessment of its ecological characteristics, ecosystem services, and conservation status.
Field investigations assess mangrove species diversity, vegetation structure, regeneration, and habitat
condition, complemented by environmental observations and secondary climate-related data. These
ecological indicators are analyzed to understand the adaptive capacity of the ecosystem and its ability
to maintain ecological functions under changing environmental conditions. The assessment identifies
habitat degradation, pollution, sea-level rise, and climate variability as major drivers of ecosystem
vulnerability. The findings indicate that structurally diverse and healthy mangrove stands exhibit greater
ecological resilience by maintaining habitat connectivity, supporting biodiversity, stabilizing
shorelines, and sustaining ecosystem services. Carbon sequestration is recognized as one of the
important ecological functions that further strengthen climate regulation and coastal resilience. The
study also highlights the role of mangrove restoration and community-based conservation in enhancing
the adaptive capacity of both the ecosystem and coastal communities. This research provides baseline
ecological information for the Pulicat mangroves and identifies key indicators for long-term monitoring
and management. The findings contribute to a better understanding of resilient coastal ecosystems and
support ecosystem-based adaptation, sustainable mangrove conservation, and informed policy
development for the long-term protection and management of the Pulicat mangrove ecosystem.
