U.S. Agency: 82 Coral Species "may be threatened or endangered"

In a notice published yesterday (10 February 2010), the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service concluded that 82 species of coral may be "threatened or endangered."  Among the threats cited by the agency were ocean acidification and elevated sea-surface temperatures -- both driven by the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The agency issued the notice in response to a Petition to List 83 Species of Corals under the ESA [pdf] from the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD). In its petition, the center said:

"The world’s corals and coral reef ecosystems are in crisis. Nearly 20% of the world’s coral reefs have already been lost, and approximately one-third of all zooxanthellate reefbuilding coral species as at risk of extinction according to the IUCN [International Union for the Conservation of Nature]. Corals face widespread threats ranging from habitat destruction, pollution, overharvest, and disease. Warming ocean temperatures and ocean acidification due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas pollution threaten the continued survival of corals and coral reef ecosystems. According to coral scientists, `reefs are likely to be the first major planetary-scale ecosystem to collapse in the face of climate changes now in progress.' This petition seeks to list 83 species of corals which are designated as threatened with extinction by the IUCN and which occur in United States waters and thus stand to benefit most from listing under the US Endangered Species Act (`ESA')." [footnotes omitted]

In the Federal Register notice, the NMFS concluded that the CBD petition "presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted for 82 species" -- all but one of the species included in the petition.  It concludes:

"... it is reasonable to conclude, after reviewing the  information presented in this petition, that these species may be threatened or endangered. A population decline of at least 30 percent throughout the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific regions, combined with large-scale threats of increased abundance of macroalgae (which compete for  available space, produce toxins that inhibit larval settlement, and  trap excess sediment), ocean acidification, decreased resilience of  corals, and elevated sea surface temperatures (which cause mass  mortalities of corals), could cause coral populations to collapse and  make it difficult for them to recover."

Under the notice, the NMFS is initiating "status reviews" for the 82 species to determine if listing under  the ESA is warranted. Pursuant to that objective, the agency is opening "a 60-day public comment period to solicit information from the public,  government agencies, the scientific community, industry, and any other interested parties on the status of these 82 coral species throughout their range."  Comments and information should be submitted to the NMFS by 12 April 2010.  See the Federal Register notice for additional details.

Additional Online Resources:

• Endangered Species Act.  Background information from the National Marine Fisheries Service.
• Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Notice of 90-Day Finding on a
  Petition to List 83 Species of Corals as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act.  Notice (10 February 2010) in the Federal Register from National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and  Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.
• NOAA to Review Status of 82 Species of Coral.  Press release (12 Feb 2010) from NOAA.
• 82 Corals, Threatened With Extinction Due to Climate Change and Ocean Acidification,  Advance Toward Endangered Species Act Protection.  Press release (9 February 2010) from the Center for Biological Diversity. 
• Coral Triangle and Climate Change: Ecosystems, People and Societies at Risk (PDF, 4.51MB).  This WWF report sets out the full extent of the threats to the Coral Triangle region of the Pacific Ocean and proposes solutions to the challenges facing the area and its people. Based on a thorough consideration of the climate, biology, economics and social characteristics of the region, it shows why these challenges are increasing, and how unchecked climate change will ultimately undermine and destroy ecosystems and livelihoods in the Coral Triangle. See also the summary report and the press release, WWF Study Says Climate Change Could Displace Millions In Asia's Coral Triangle (13 May 2009)
• WWF Priority Places:
  • Coral Triangle.  The pristine waters of the Coral Triangle hold the richest concentration of iridescent corals, fish, crustaceans, mollusks and marine plants in the world. Labyrinths of limestone reefs, extensive sea grass meadows and coastal mangrove forests attract sea turtles and giants of the sea such as humpback whales to feed, breed and rest in the rich and sheltered waters.  
  • Mesoamerican Reef. The jewel of the Caribbean Sea, the Mesoamerican Reef is a rich tapestry of fringing reefs, atolls, patch reefs, sea grass pastures and mangrove forests. An ancient natural system dating back 225 million years, it acts as a natural barrier against severe storms for Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras, and its presence is vital to the survival of many plants and animals as well as humans. 
• Climate Change Threatens Madagascar’s Unique Coral Reefs.  Press release (9 December 2009) from WWF.
• Massive Coral Bleaching Could Decimate SE Asia’s Coral Triangle this Winter.  Press release (19 December 2008).