How many coral reefs die each year

They used a combination of databases containing thousands of surveys of coral reef cover, marine biodiversity records and fisheries catch data to assess how each factor changed over time.

In addition to finding that half of living corals have died since the s, researchers discovered that coral-reef-associated biodiversity dropped by 63 percent.

Healthy reefs support thousands of different corals, fish and marine mammals, but bleached reefs lose their ability to support as many species. The scientists also found that catches of coral reef fishes peaked in and have been declining since then despite increasing fishing effort.

One challenge the team faced was finding detailed, accurate information about reef coverage in the s. A matter of vital importance is sexual reproduction of corals ; as it is for most species. Sexual reproduction maintains genetic diversity and, in turn, enables species to adapt to a naturally dynamic environment in the long-term.

Corals under stress are likely to stop sexual reproduction, which puts their survival at risk. Apart from urgent action to mitigate climate change on a global scale, it is increasingly evident that traditional conservation measures are inadequate to ensure the survival of this essential ecosystem.

If we want to give coral reefs a fighting chance to survive and thrive for generations to come, we need active restoration measures to complement coral reef conservation. Together with our lead partners, we initiated the Global Coral Restoration effort in to accelerate the development of new tools, methods and strategies to make coral restoration viable on larger thus meaningful scales. SECORE's mission is to create and share the tools and technologies to sustainably restore coral reefs worldwide.

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Environment As the EU targets emissions cuts, this country has a coal problem. Paid Content How Hong Kong protects its sea sanctuaries. History Magazine These 3,year-old giants watched over the cemeteries of Sardinia. Reefs support local tourism and the commercial fishing industry. They also protect coastlines from flooding during extreme storms. Perhaps the most concerning aspect of coral loss is what it suggests about the future. The fragile nature of coral reefs leaves them hypersensitive to climate change, but ecosystems above ground and beneath the ocean will also be vulnerable to rising temperatures in the coming years and decades.

And while humans can still stave off the worst effects of climate change, some level of warming remains inevitable.