Threats

Threats to Corals and Coral Reefs

Nearly 60% of the world's coral reefs are threatened by human activity, and that number is even higher for Florida's reefs and reefs in the Caribbean.

Map of the world's threatened reefs

Natural Threats

• Tropical Cyclones
• Earthquakes and Tsunamis
• Global circulations
  • El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
  • North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)

Human-induced Threats

(some of these may be both natural and human-induced)

• Pollution
• Overfishing
• Physical Damage
• Sediment Overload (ex. from deforestation)
• Invasive Species
• The Coral Trade (jewelry, aquariums, etc.)
• Coral Mining

Human-induced Threats Tied to Climate Change

• Bleaching
• Disease

Threats with Less Obvious Ties to Global Warming

• The Potential Link Between Sea Surface Temperatures and Flooding
• Long-range Transport of Dust and Other Pollutants (ex. African dust or wildfire emissions)