The importance of coral reefs cannot be overstated. Despite covering a small fraction of the world’s surface area, they represent crucial marine habitats that are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, and they also provide vital contributions to coastal protection and the nutrition and livelihoods of millions of people. Yet their future is increasingly uncertain owing to rapid ocean warming, acidification and intensifying local pressures from pollution and overfishing. The urgency of safeguarding coral reefs has never been clearer. Although this cannot be achieved in the long run without reducing greenhouse gas emissions, advances in both fundamental ecology and applied conservation are still needed.
Coral reefs at a crossroads. Nat Ecol Evol 10, 611–612 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-026-03058-6
Publication
