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Nov 12, 2021 · Coral reefs are under relentless stress from myriad global and local issues, including climate change, declining water quality, overfishing, pollution and unsustainable coastal development.
- Why protecting coral reefs matters | UNEP - UN Environment ...
We work to protect and restore the world’s coral reefs from...
- The world’s corals are bleaching. Here’s why and what it ...
Scientists believe surging ocean temperatures, driven in...
- Why protecting coral reefs matters | UNEP - UN Environment ...
Coral reefs are threatened by a range of human activities. Many of the world’s reefs have already been destroyed or severely damaged by an increasing array of threats, including pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, and global climate change.
- Answering Common Coral Queries
- What Are Coral Reefs?
- What Are The Main Threats to Coral Reefs?
- How Are The World’S Coral Reefs Doing Now?
- What Is The Outlook For Coral Reefs?
- What Must Be Done to Ensure A Future For Coral Reefs?
The ins and outs of coral reefs can be confusing. Here’s a deep dive into what makes a coral reef, why they’re threatened and how they’re doing now:
Coral reefs are vast, three-dimensional structures comprised of coral animal colonies that secrete calcium carbonate, also known as limestone. Over time, these limestone secretions build up and create structures, some of which can be seen from space. Reefs are built by a variety of hard corals, of which there are 800 different species. The coral co...
Coral reefs are threatened by both local and global threats, including overfishing; sediment, nutrient and marine pollution; and increasing ocean warming and acidification. Overfishing is the most pervasive local threat to coral reefs. It can alter the ecological balance on the reef through removing herbivorous fish that control the macroalgae grow...
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer on the state of coral reefs. The extent of damage to the world’s coral reefs vary, and some have recovered. However, most present a grim outlook. Around half of the world’s reefs are likely degraded from climate change, pollution and overfishing. Hard coral cover has declined significantly in some regions, a...
The decline in live hard coral cover over the past 40 years isn’t the end of the story. Projections of future ocean warming and the associated increased frequency of coral bleaching make coral reefs highly susceptible to further declines. By the 2030s, most coral reefs are projected to experience coral bleaching at least twice per decade, and possi...
There is no one solution to saving coral reefs — many coordinated steps must be taken toward a future where corals persist. On a local level, threats to coral reefs can be addressed by managing fisheries sustainably, eliminating destructive fishing and addressing all sources of pollution. Moreover, management and financial support for MPAs and othe...
Jun 4, 2020 · June 4, 2020. • 9 min read. The world’s coral reefs do more for the planet than provide underwater beauty. They buffer shorelines from the effects of hurricanes. An estimated 500 million people...
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Coral reefs are home to 25% of the world's marine biodiversity, but they are in danger of disappearing. Find out how and why.
We work to protect and restore the world’s coral reefs from the effects of climate change and other impacts from human activity. Coral reefs, found in over 100 countries and territories globally, underpin ocean biodiversity and provide important economic, social, recreational and cultural benefits. Over 800 species of reef building corals ...
Jun 6, 2024 · Scientists believe surging ocean temperatures, driven in part by climate change, are responsible for the latest bleaching event, which has spanned from Panama to Australia – and is getting worse. Experts say corals are among the most vulnerable ecosystems on the planet to climate change.
