IUCN Warns 96% of Coral Reef Systems Face Critical Extinction Risk

IUCN Warns 96% of Coral Reef Systems Face Critical Extinction Risk
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The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified 96 percent of the world’s shallow-water coral reef systems as critically endangered, warning that they could collapse within the next 50 years and face possible extinction by 2075.

The assessment examined 127 tropical and subtropical reef systems covering 188,362 square kilometres. Researchers identified climate change, rising ocean temperatures and increasingly severe coral bleaching as major threats. A projected global temperature rise of 2.7°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100 was used in the analysis.

The threatened systems include the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Triangle, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and Red Sea reefs. Coral reefs support around a quarter of marine species and provide food, tourism income and protection for coastal communities. Despite the warning, the IUCN said many reefs could still recover if urgent action helps protect surviving, resilient corals.