The latest reports from organisations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and UN Environment Programme report that about 50% of the world's coral reefs are considered damaged or at risk of collapse, with some estimates suggesting that we could lose up to 90% of coral reefs by 2050 if current trends continue. This is a staggering figure when considering the ecological and economic importance of coral reefs.
As global warming devastates coral reefs, a controversial proposal to replace native coral species with heat-resistant ones from other regions is stirring debate.
New York University’s Michael Webster and the University of Washington’s Daniel Schindler argue that “ecological replacement” may be essential for preserving reef ecosystems.
While this approach raises concerns, its supporters believe it might be the only realistic solution as ocean temperatures continue to rise.
The study, led by Michael J. Williamson, analysed data from over 700,000 shark detections across the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean between 2013 and 2020. It reveals that grey reef sharks are showing signs of distress. As coral ecosystems are impacted more and more by pollution and climate change, these sharks are reducing their time on the reefs. Instead, they are expanding their ranges and spending more time away from their ranges.
The sightings, documented in a study by Amy Rose Coghlan and Naiti Morales, took place during a period of unusually warm sea surface temperatures, a condition that has been linked to the expansion of tiger shark habitats in other parts of the world.
In 2015, amidst a marine heatwave, Barott’s team tagged numerous coral colonies, initiating a study on coral adaptability. Their focus: the rice coral (Montipora capitata) and finger coral (Porites compressa), two dominant species in the region. Over the years, multiple heatwaves provided a unique opportunity to observe coral responses, revealing both resilience and vulnerability.
Climate change is increasing the crisis of our seas, already under pressure due to several human activities. Rising temperatures are affecting and changing the underwater environment all over the world. The Mediterranean Sea, unfortunately, is no different from other seas. A group of specialists, coordinated by Greenpeace Italy, are monitoring the situation in the waters around Italy. Lorenzo Moscia reports.
The fate of coral atolls amidst rising sea levels has been a subject of intense debate and concern. Recent studies and ecological restoration efforts suggest that these unique island formations might have the potential to grow at a rate that could outpace sea level rise, offering a glimmer of hope for their future.
As global warming heats up oceans around the world, coral bleaching events are increasing in frequency and severity. Robert Osborne reports on how climate change has impacted his favourite coral reef in Cuba.
The distant northwestern Pacific island of Ebadon is one of the most pristine locations left on earth. It is also facing rapid and imminent destruction from increasing storm surge and overwash events driven by man-made climate change. The people of Ebadon, who contribute the least to climate change, will be among the first to be driven from their ancestral lands because of it.
In November 2019, researchers from University of Plymouth recorded unexpected evidence of coral bleaching more than 90 metres below the ocean surface.
Describing their discovery as a "huge surprise," Dr Phil Hosegood, Associate Professor in Physical Oceanography at the University of Plymouth and lead on the project, said: "Deeper corals had always been thought of as being resilient to ocean warming, because the waters they inhabit are cooler than at the surface and were believed to remain relatively stable."
