Vital yet fragile, coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor but support an astonishing quarter of all marine life, playing a critical role in biodiversity and coastal protection. Scientists warn their rapid decline threatens ecosystems that sustain fisheries, tourism, and shoreline defenses worldwide. New research examines the pressures driving their collapse, from climate change to human activity, offering insights into potential conservation strategies. Understanding their importance could shape global efforts to preserve these underwater ecosystems before irreversible damage occurs.
Coral reefs make up just 1 percent of ocean coverage, but host a quarter of all life in the sea.
