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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Isaaq Tomkins

Caribbean reefs have lost 48% of hard coral since 1980, study finds

Caribbean
elkhorn corals surrounded by fish in shallow water in the Caribbean
Hard corals in the Caribbean off Cuba in 2019. The region’s coral experienced ‘the most destructive thermal stress ever recorded’ in 2023-24, the report says. Photograph: Wildestanimal/Alamy

Caribbean reefs have half as much hard coral now as they did in 1980, a study has found.

The 48% decrease in coral cover has been driven by climate breakdown, specifically marine heatwaves. They affect the microalgae that feed coral, making them toxic and forcing the coral to expel them.

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