CURRENT CONDITIONS OF ARTIFICIAL MODIFICATIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON SHORE AND CORAL REEFS IN MALDIVES

Abstract

 The Maldives with low elevation and narrow land, which was formed by the accumulation of coral sand and gravels owing to long-term wave action, has been experiencing the vulnerability against the climate change. On the other hand, various artificial modifications on shore and coral reefs have been undertaken, especially on residential islands in accordance with recent active economic development. However, actual conditions of artificial modifications and their impact have not been discussed. This paper is to clarify the current conditions of artificial modifications on shore and coral reefs and to examine their impact on the basis of the field investigation on several residential islands in Maldives.