The Mesoamerican Coral Reef, a unique ecosystem second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, has deteriorated for the first time in recent years after 12 years of sustained improvement and positive recovery.
The Reef Health Index (RHI), which combines environmental data into an index, showed that the overall coral rating dropped to 2.5 in 2018 from 2.8 in its previous ranking report in 2016. Scientists agree that the biggest deterioration in the reef was due to a significant decline in commercial and herbivorous fish amid unsustainable fishing practices, especially within the economic zone of Honduras, according to the REUTERS news agency.
Coral reefs have evolved over millennia and are vital to the survival and prosperity of countless marine species, but many, including the Great Barrier Reef, are affected by global warming, scientists say.
Given the alarming escalation of climate change threats to coral reefs, more urgent action is needed to reduce CO2 emissions and other factors that influence the rate of global warming.