VI News Staff 3 years ago

Decade Of Climate Breakdown Saw 14 Per Cent Of Coral Reefs Vanish

UN News – Between 2009 and 2018, the continuous rise in sea temperature cost the world 14 per cent of its coral reefs – that’s more than the size of Australia’s reefs combined – an UN-backed report revealed on Tuesday. In the Sixth Status of Corals of the World: 2020 Report, experts from the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, funded by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), collected data from more than 300 scientists from 73 countries, over a span of 40 years, including two million individual observations. It revealed that almost invariably, sharp declines in coral cover, correspond with rapid increases in sea surface temperatures, indicating their vulnerability to temperature spikes, and found that this phenomenon is likely to increase as the planet continues to warm.

Invaluable Ecosystems

Dynamic underwater coral cities support up to 800 different species of hard coral and are home to more than 25 per cent of all marine life, according to the report.

Soft corals bend and sway amongst the craggy mountains of hard corals providing additional homes for fish, snails and other marine creatures.

And reefs harbour the highest biodiversity of any of the world’s ecosystems, making them one of the most biologically complex and valuable on the planet.

Coral Bleaching

However, when waters get too warm, corals released their colourful micro-algae, turning a skeletal white colour. Some glowed, by naturally producing a protective layer of neon pigments, before they bleach.

“Bleaching can be thought of as the ocean’s version of the ‘canary in the coral mine’ since it demonstrates corals’ sensitivity to dangerous and deadly conditions”, the Status of Coral Reefs explained.

Algae Takeover

A shift from coral to algae-dominated reefs, reduces the architectural complexity and structural integrity of these habitats, making them less biodiverse and providing fewer goods and services to humans.

According to the report, there has been a steady decrease in hard coral cover since 2010 with the worst impacts occurring in South Asia, Australia, the Pacific, East Asia, the Western Indian Ocean, The Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Valuing Coral

Although coral reefs in more than 100 countries cover only 0.2 per cent of the seafloor, they underpin the safety, coastal protection, wellbeing, food and economic security of hundreds of millions of people said the report.

READ MORE: CARIBBEAN NEWS NOW

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS WEATHER

“No Weapons Allowed” on St. John; Department Officials Give 2024 Celeb...

VI News Staff
7 months ago

USVI’s Jackson, Clarke inducted into Indiana Hall of Fame

VI News Staff
8 months ago

Low Complaint Numbers Disputed as Liberty VI Addresses Service Issues

VI News Staff
6 months ago

BVI cop charged with breach of trust in connection with police operati...

VI News Staff
4 weeks ago

Coastal Hazard Vulnerability Project Launched In Dominica

VI News Staff
1 year ago