In the decades since 2009, the world has lost about 14% of coral reefs, mainly due to climate change, according to an international report on global coral conditions.
The downturn underscores the devastating effects of climate change, and some hope that some coral reefs will be saved if they move quickly to control greenhouse gases.
Coral reefs support more than 500 million people worldwide, but they are among the most affected ecosystems on earth https://t.co/TeeGUQi7CZ # Climate change pic.twitter.com/eIIZbTW8hz
– IUCN (@IUCN) October 2, 2021
“Coral reefs can tell us how quickly it can go wrong in coal mining,” said David Oura, one of the editors of the report and chairman of the International Coalition’s Coal Specialist Group.
He said the 14% decline was a cause for concern. We are worried about a half percent decline in finances and a half percent change in employment and interest rates.
Of particular concern is the direction of the report’s authors. The first international melting event was held in It happened in 1998, but many reefs have been restored. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
“Since 2009, there has been a global decline,” said Sergei Planes, a research scientist at the Mooria Island Research Center and Environment in France, Polynesia.
Credit iucn.orgAlthough coral reefs cover a small part of the ocean floor, they offer a wide range of benefits. Their fish provide an important source of protein for 1 billion people. Their limestone branches protect the coast from storms.
Their beauty is supported by billions of dollars in tourism. According to a report released by Coral Reef Initiative TV, a partner of the countries and organizations involved in global coral reef conservation, they provide approximately $ 2.7 trillion annually in goods and services.
Read more: Researchers have completed a detailed map of the world’s coral reef for the first time
There may be as many as 900 species of coral, and some researchers seem to be more resistant to the heat and acidity associated with climate change. Unfortunately, those are not the most popular types of reef construction that are growing slowly and supporting the richest biodiversity.
Terry Hughes, director of the Coral Reef Research Center at James Cook University in Australia, who did not participate in the analysis, warned that the vast data collected by more than 300 scientists in 73 countries could lead to a healthy reef. .
“Researchers and monitoring programs often leave damaged sites or do not conduct new studies because no one wants to study sulfur and algae-covered reefs rather than corals.
Both he and the report also stressed that if global warming is limited, coral can recover or grow again. “Many coral reefs are resilient and can recover if conditions permit,” the report said.
Climate change is important to save the coral reef, but scientists say it is important to reduce pollution. Coral must be as healthy as possible to survive the previously locked temperature. Harmful pollution often involves the production of manure and sewage, as well as heavy metals or other chemicals that can cause algae flowering. Destructive fishing practices harm reefs.
The report comes shortly before world leaders meet to discuss a new international agreement on biodiversity. While some are pushing for more transparent reefs, this approach is not enough.
“People around the world are very dependent on reefs, and we have to work hard on medium forests or all other reefs,” said Aura. We need to make them work for the survival of the people.
This article appeared first The New York Times.
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