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Coral Crisis: 44% of Species Face Extinction
26 Oct
Summary
- Nearly half of reef-building coral species face extinction risk.
- Climate change-induced heat stress is the primary threat.
- 93% of high-risk species endangered due to heat stress.
New research indicates a critical situation for reef-building corals, with nearly half of all species now facing an elevated risk of extinction. A comprehensive reassessment of 774 species found 340 are threatened, including 33 critically endangered, 251 endangered, and 56 vulnerable.
The primary driver behind this alarming trend is climate change-induced heat stress. This factor is identified as the main threat for 93 percent of species deemed at high risk, with projections for the next 30 years being particularly concerning.
The proportion of threatened coral species varies geographically, with 43 percent facing extinction in the Indo-Pacific and 50 percent in the Atlantic. Researchers warn that recent years, including a global coral bleaching event, may have increased these numbers further.
Given that coral reefs are vital for marine biodiversity and provide significant economic benefits, scientists are calling for intensified efforts to curb global warming. Limiting rising temperatures is crucial to safeguarding remaining coral populations worldwide.
