WILLEMSTAD - The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has conducted a new assessment of 892 coral species for its Red List, with results presented at the climate summit in Baku on Wednesday. The latest evaluation reaffirms the findings from 2008, which revealed that one in three coral species is at risk of extinction. The Red List is a global registry that tracks the conservation status of plant and animal species and is one of the most comprehensive sources of information on biodiversity status, helping prioritize conservation efforts worldwide.
Coral reefs are facing significant threats from rising sea temperatures, which can lead to coral bleaching and mortality. In addition to climate change, other contributing factors include water pollution, disease, damage from unsustainable fishing practices, and the increasing frequency of hurricanes. The IUCN emphasizes that drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the most important step to improve the chances of survival for coral reefs.
Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems in the ocean, providing essential habitats for countless fish species and other marine life. The IUCN stresses that these ecosystems not only support food security but also help sequester carbon and protect coastal areas from natural disasters.
"The decline of coral reefs is concerning, as it threatens not only biodiversity but also the safety of island communities, such as those in the Caribbean Netherlands," stated the IUCN. Coral reefs act as natural breakwaters, absorbing wave energy and offering protection against extreme weather events.
Furthermore, the IUCN calls for more research into the adaptability of corals to higher temperatures, as evidence in this area remains limited. The organization is also working on an assessment of cold-water corals, which grow in deeper waters and face threats from bottom trawling, cable laying, oil and gas drilling, and deep-sea mining.