Coral reefs may disappear completely in 2100

Regular readers of our site are likely toaware that the seas and oceans can no longer provide animals and plants with ideal conditions for life and growth. This is due to the fact that the waters of the oceans are rapidly contaminated with plastic waste, are heated under the influence of elevated air temperature and are strongly oxidized. The problem is becoming so serious that scientists began to assure that by 2100 there will not be a single coral reef on our planet. But they are considered “marine tropical forests” and are the habitat of many fish, shellfish, worms, crustaceans and intestinal animals. In addition, it is known that some coral reefs protect the coast from the destructive effects of waves. But how did scientists find out that such important geological structures could disappear after a hundred years?

Coral reefs are home to many living things.

Disappointing forecasts sharedpress service of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Scientists have long been aware that coral reefs are on the verge of extinction. They constantly come up with technologies to slow down the destruction of the habitat of thousands of marine animals. For example, in 2019, researchers from Australia and the United Kingdom found a way to attract fish to dead corals with the sounds of vibrant marine life. According to the authors of the article in the scientific journal Nature Communications, attracted fish may well save corals from extinction. But in order to recover from reefs, scientists need to know in which areas of our planet they need help most.

Coral reefs in danger

To find out which coral reefs in whichareas of the ocean are at greater risk of extinction, scientists used computer modeling. Researchers were able to find out what will happen to reefs in certain parts of the planet with different indicators of water temperature, acidity, wind strength, fishing intensity and other indicators. Unfortunately, in most cases, computer modeling showed that coral reefs are doomed to almost complete extinction.

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According to scientists, the regions that are currentlysuitable for the growth and development of coral reefs, by 2045 they may become unfavorable places for this. If humanity does not take any measures to protect coral reefs, by 2100 they can be completely wiped off the face of the Earth. However, according to one of the authors of the study, Rene Setter, small areas suitable for the growth of coral reefs may remain in some regions of the Red Sea and off the coast of Mexican Baja California.

However, this is far from a reason forto relax. According to scientists, even the most suitable places for coral reef growth are located near river mouths. Because of this, there is a risk that even these reefs will be destroyed by dirty water. However, warm and oxidized water still poses the greatest danger to coral reefs.

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As mentioned above, the problem of gradualThe extinction of coral has been bothering scientists for a long time. To restore them, scientists even intended to print reefs on a 3D printer, preserving their chemical composition and structure. You can read more about this in our special material.