Nearly half of reef-building coral species face higher risk of extinction

Nearly half of the world’s reef-building coral species are now facing a heightened risk of extinction, according to a recent global assessment led by scientists including Dr. Francoise Cabada-Blanco of the University of Portsmouth. The study, conducted by the IUCN Species Survival Commission Coral Specialist Group, evaluated 892 reef-building coral species listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Of these, 44% are now categorized as critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable. This marks a significant increase from the 2008 assessment, during which approximately one-third of coral species were identified as threatened. The research drew upon data and insights from over 60 coral experts worldwide. Of the 774 species with sufficient data for classification, 340 fell into the highest-risk categories. The findings highlight the growing impact of climate change on coral reefs, with rising ocean temperatures being the primary driver of increased extinction risks. The assessment used data up to 2020, prior to the extreme temperature increases and the ongoing fourth global coral bleaching event spanning 2023–2025. Scientists warn that the actual percentage of species under threat could be higher than 44%. The anticipated super El Niño of 2026–27 is expected to exacerbate these pressures further. Coral reefs are experiencing unprecedented environmental shifts, with varying degrees of resilience observed across different species and regions. The Coral Red List Index, which measures extinction risk, has declined significantly, from 0.96 in 1998 to 0.74 in 2024. This indicates that corals are now exhibiting the fastest rate of increasing extinction risk among all groups studied. In the northern Red Sea, certain coral ecosystems have shown greater resistance to climate change, offering potential avenues for localized conservation efforts. However, the overall outlook remains grim, with the need for improved data collection and management strategies to mitigate the escalating threats to coral reefs globally.