REEFS AT RISK

This report presents the first global, map-based indicator of potential threats to coral reefs, finding that 58% of the world's reefs are at risk. Southeast Asia is identified as the most threatened region, while the Pacific is the least. The primary drivers of degradation are overexploitation and coastal development. The report highlights a critical lack of adequate marine protected areas and calls for integrated coastal management to preserve biodiversity and the economic services reefs provide to nearly half a billion people.

• Approximately 58 percent of the world's coral reefs are potentially threatened by human activities, with 27 percent classified as high threat and 31 percent as medium threat.
• Overexploitation of marine resources and coastal development are the most significant threats globally, each affecting roughly one-third of all reefs (36 percent and 30 percent respectively).
• Southeast Asia contains the most species-rich reefs on earth but is also the most threatened region; over 80 percent of its reefs are at risk, and 56 percent are at high risk.
• The Pacific region contains the largest area of coral reefs and is the least threatened, with approximately 60 percent of its reefs classified as low risk.
• At least 11 percent of global coral reefs are identified as biodiversity "hot spots," meaning they have high reef fish species richness and are under high threat from human activities.
• Marine protected areas (MPAs) for coral reefs are insufficient; at least 40 countries have no MPAs for their reef systems, and more than 150 existing MPAs are smaller than one square kilometer.
• Nearly half a billion people, representing 8 percent of the global population, live within 100 kilometers of a coral reef and depend on them for food, tourism, and coastal protection.

APA

Bryant, D., Burke, L., McManus, J., & Spalding, M. (n.d.). REEFS AT RISK. World Resources Institute. http://pdf.wri.org/reefs.pdf

Chicago

Bryant, Dirk, Lauretta Burke, John McManus, and Mark Spalding. REEFS AT RISK. World Resources Institute, n.d. http://pdf.wri.org/reefs.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bryant |first1=Dirk |last2=Burke |first2=Lauretta |last3=McManus |first3=John |last4=Spalding |first4=Mark |title=REEFS AT RISK |publisher=World Resources Institute |url=http://pdf.wri.org/reefs.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bryantndreefs, author = {Bryant, Dirk and Burke, Lauretta and McManus, John and Spalding, Mark}, title = {{REEFS AT RISK}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {http://pdf.wri.org/reefs.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }