Global study finds nearly half of reef-building coral species face extinction risk
A University of Portsmouth scientist helped lead a major global study that reassessed the extinction risk for reef-building corals worldwide.
Updated assessment covers most species
Researchers reviewed data on 774 coral species to determine their current threat levels. This update represents the first full global assessment since 2008 when scientists found that around one-third of species were threatened with extinction.
High risk categories show increase
The new analysis shows that 340 species now fall into the highest-risk categories for extinction. Of these, 33 are critically endangered while 251 are classified as endangered and 56 are vulnerable.
Data gaps remain significant
Experts note that the true figure of threatened species is likely higher because some data is still missing. Improving information on regional variations will help managers better understand how different corals respond to climate change.
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