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Story 11 Jun, 2025

Making Waves

Melissa Hobson explores the latest developments in coral conservation.

Life on a coral reef is fast and ever­ changing. A grumpy grouper swims by with a fishing hook in its lip,a green turtle drifts along on the current, and bright orange reef fish flutter like flames around the brown, red and purple corals of all shapes and sizes. More than a quarter of all marine fish species rely on coral reefs. They are home to the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem in the world.

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Photo: Extracted from IUCN Members magazine, Issue 5

These bustling ecosystems are important for us, too. "Protecting reefs is protecting people, “says Maria Jose Gonzalez, executive director of the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund), a Guatemala-based non-governmental organisation and an IUCN Member. "A healthy reef means stronger economies, safer shorelines and thriving marine life," Gonzalez explains. "Coral reefs act as storm barriers, reducing wave energy by up to 97% and protecting coastal communities from erosion and flooding."

But corals are in trouble. "It will take decades to reverse the increase we are seeing in sea surface temperatures," says Beth Polidoro, an Associate Professor at Arizona State University and Red List Coordinator for the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Coral Specialist Group. "In other words, if we cut all our emissions today, our current models are predicting that sea surface temperatures will continue to increase until about 2050-2070," she says. "That's not great news for corals."

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Co-chaired by Francoise Cavada Blanco and David Obura, the IUCN SSC Coral Specialist Group brings together over 120 coral experts to ensure policymakers base marine management decisions and conservation actions on robust science. In November 2024, their global assessment of the world's 892 known reef-building species revealed that 44% of warm-water corals now face an elevated risk of extinction (up from a third in 2008). The main threat is climate change and warming sea surface temperatures.

Corals' resistance to warming waters is related to local threats. Those already struggling with the impacts of pollution, habitat loss, disease or an outbreak of predatory crown -of-thorns sea stars are more vulnerable. Corals that aren't bombarded by these threats may have more resilience and be better able to adapt. More resilient species (some Red Sea corals can tolerate a 7°C increase) could hold the key to helping reefs survive as temperatures continue to climb.

IUCN's assessments gather data on which species are more vulnerable to threats. "Now we know exactly which geographic regions have a higher proportion of either vulnerable or more resilient coral species," says Polidoro. "This information can help target and prioritise more effective conservation action and policy."

As an IUCN Member, MAR Fund gains access to cutting-edge scientific research, policy, advocacy and global conservation strategies. 

Marra Jose Gonzalez, Mesoamerican Reef Fund

 

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Read the full story, download Unite for Nature Issue 5
A FIGHTING CHANCE FOR CORALS

IUCN Members and partners are taking action for coral reefs in their own nations, too. "We can give corals a fighting chance by reducing the local threats that contribute to increased vulnerability," says Polidoro. Preventing nutrient run- off, stopping destructive fishing practices - like dynamite, cyanide and dredging - and overharvesting in reefs, as well as creating effective marine protected areas can all help corals thrive.

"Local capacity building is key," says Gonzalez. "The Post-Storm Reef Response Brigades in the Mesoamerican Reef are ready to act immediately after hurricanes. "When a severe storm hits, these trained teams spring into action to give corals the best chance of recovery. "They do damage assessment, debris removal, coral reattachment and emergency coral stabilisation, among other actions," she says.

Access to funding is vital. "The MAR parametric insurance provides fast, pre-agreed payouts based on hurricane intensity and distance of coral reefs from the hurricane track, ensuring rapid funding for reef response," adds Gonzalez. "This minimises economic losses and helps reefs recover before long-term damage sets in."