Coral reefs in the Caribbean have suffered irreparable damage over the past four decades. A new study has found that hard coral cover in the region has fallen by about 48 per cent since 1980. Researchers say severe marine heatwaves caused by climate change are the main cause of this disaster.

The study notes that coral reefs cover only 1 per cent of the world's seabed, yet that 1 per cent is home to about 25 per cent of marine life. The destruction of coral reefs is therefore a grave threat to the whole marine ecosystem.

According to the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), long and severe marine heatwaves caused by climate change have become the biggest threat to coral reefs. These heatwaves badly damage the tiny algae, or microalgae, that live inside the corals. These algae are the corals' main source of food and energy. Excess heat makes them toxic, so the corals expel them, and this causes coral bleaching.

Marine scientist Dr Jeremy Wickert, the study's editor, said the Caribbean faced the most severe heat stress in its history in 2023–2024. In recent years a record 16.9 per cent of coral cover was lost.

Dr Wickert said: "While diving, I saw with my own eyes that all the corals had turned white. There was not a single coloured coral. Seeing it in the field is not the same as seeing it on a graph. Seeing it in reality is deeply shaking."

Coral reefs are vital to the Caribbean economy. Through tourism and fisheries they contribute about US$6.2 billion to the region's economy every year. If the corals are destroyed, not only marine biodiversity but also the livelihoods and coastal protection of millions of people will be at risk.

Experts have warned that swift, coordinated action is needed to protect the Caribbean's coral reefs. Given the current state of affairs, it was said, if action is not taken quickly the region's reefs may not be recoverable in future.

The report cited News International as its source.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.