A Study on the Ecological Profile of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) consist of very fragile island ecosystems and some of the most pristine in the world. These ecosystems are very diverse and support very unique flora and fauna. Both these island groups are a distinct eco region and are classified as one of the 12 bio-geographical zones of India. The landscape for large islands emerges from sea grass beds, coral reef or rocky outcrops, to beaches, littoral forest, Andaman slope forests, hilltops, into valleys and streams. In some areas in the Andaman’s along the west and the east coast, the landscape starts from reefs or rocky outcrops to steep rock faces with windblown vegetation.