Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context:

The latest global assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has revealed a concerning statistic related to coral reefs.

Key Details

Parameter	Details
Current Risk to Reef-Building Corals	44% of reef-building coral species are at risk of extinction as per the latest IUCN assessment.
Previous Risk (2008)	33% of reef-building coral species were at risk of extinction.
Primary Threat	Climate change is identified as the largest threat to coral species.
Other Threats	Pollution, agricultural runoff, disease, and unsustainable fishing.
Data Sources	IUCN assessments used data from the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network and IPCC reports.
Number of Coral Species Assessed	892 species of warm-water reef-building corals were assessed.
Vulnerability Categories	Vulnerable: 56 species (15%) Endangered: 251 species (67%) Critically Endangered: 33 species (9%)
Endangered Species	Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) and Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata).
Importance of Coral Reefs	Vital for marine biodiversity, coastal protection, fisheries, and tourism.
Economic Value of Coral Reefs	Generate approximately $375 billion annually through tourism and related industries.
Dependence on Coral Reefs	About 500 million people rely on coral reef ecosystems for food and income.
Impact of Coral Loss	Increases vulnerability of coastal communities to storms, hurricanes, and rising sea levels.
Recent Global Coral Bleaching Event	The largest on record, affecting around 80% of coral reefs globally due to climate change.
Funding Gap for Coral Conservation	Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) has secured only $30 million out of a $12 billion target.
Urgency for Action	Immediate action needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase funding for coral resilience.
Broader Biodiversity Crisis	28% of assessed species are threatened, including 41% of amphibians, 37% of sharks/rays, and 26% of mammals.
Next Key Event for Coral Conservation	2025 UN Ocean Conference to be held in France in June.

About the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Type	An international organization, a global union of government and civil society organizations.
Members	Over 1,400 organizations.
Establishment Year and Location	1948, Fontainebleau, France
Primary Objective	Promote international cooperation and provide scientific knowledge/tools to support conservation action.
Focus Area	Conservation of flora and fauna species globally.
Notable Achievement	Established the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 1964.
Role in International Conventions	Contributed to the formation of major conventions such as: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) World Heritage Convention Convention on Biological Diversity
Status	Recognized as an international authority on the status of the natural world.

READ IN DETAIL ABOUT: CAUSES, IMPACT, FORMATION, GLOBAL INITIATIVES ETC.

global coral bleaching event expands

Fourth global mass coral bleaching event

ALSO KNOW ABOUT

Coral reefs

Source:

DOWNTOEARTH

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Coral reefs are considered one of the most diverse and sensitive ecosystems on Earth. However, they are facing multiple threats due to climate change and unsustainable human activities. Discuss the current crisis faced by coral reefs globally and the key factors contributing to their decline. (250 words)