Nearly 165,922 sq km of coral reefs across 71 countries and 100 territories have the strongest potential to survive the climate crisis, according to a recent study. The study, which builds on the original 50 reefs assessment published in 2018, has identified three times more climate-resilient reef areas across 30 additional countries and 54 territories and jurisdictions.
Only 28% of identified climate-resilient reefs fall within protected or conserved areas, the study found. The new research identifies new areas of climate-resilient reefs in the Caribbean, Pacific, and the Indian Ocean, including in Belize, Panama, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Researchers have identified three distinct pathways through which reefs can persist in a warming world. Some reefs act as “avoidance refugia” and are located in rare ocean “cool spots” where local conditions shield corals from extreme heat and provide refuge from warming trends.
Nearly one billion people depend on coral reefs for food security, livelihoods, and coastal protection. The study said only around 28% of identified priority reefs currently fall within protected or conserved areas, leaving more than 119,000 km² outside existing conservation frameworks.
