1/3 of Coral Could Face Extinction
Whether you are a scuba diver, snorkeler, swimmer or someone who like to see interesting marine life you should be concerned. As reported here previously, the ocean and life in it are in trouble. Over 70% of the world is covered by water and about 95% is still unexplored, yet soon there may be not be much to explore or see.
Science Magazine is reporting the conservation status of 845 zooxanthellate reef-building coral species have been assessed using IUCN Red List Criteria. Of the 704 species that could be assigned conservation status, 32.8% are in categories with elevated risk of extinction. Declines in abundance are associated with bleaching and diseases driven by elevated sea surface temperatures, with extinction risk further exacerbated by local-scale anthropogenic disturbances. The proportion of corals threatened with extinction has increased dramatically in recent decades and exceeds most terrestrial groups. The Caribbean has the largest proportion of corals in high extinction risk categories while the Coral Triangle (western Pacific) has the highest proportion of species in all categories of elevated extinction risk. Our results emphasize the widespread plight of coral reefs and the urgent need to enact conservation measures.
It is time to get OUR act together and save our oceans and the life in and around it. Here are some organizations which you can volunteer to help in a variety of ways. We can do it.
OCEAN RESEARCH & CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
Please add to list by sending us a comment. Let others know about any organization which you support to help save our oceans, lakes and waterways.