Brazil coral reefs classified as critically endangered

Five coral reef ecoregions in Brazil have been classified as “critically endangered” according to the IUCN Ecosystem Red List presented at the COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Armenia. The affected areas, all located in the Northeast region, include Parrachos, Atol das Rocas and Fernando de Noronha, Costa dos Corais, Baía de Todos os Santos and Baixo Sul, and Abrolhos.

The classification indicates a high risk of ecological collapse due to ocean warming, environmental degradation, and human activities. While these ecosystems still host live corals and perform vital ecological functions, experts warn that urgent conservation measures are required to prevent total collapse.

In response, two projects supported by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) have mobilized R$ 50.87 million for conservation actions along the Brazilian coast. Additionally, researchers have noted that while three other ecoregions were analyzed, they lacked sufficient data for a formal risk classification, which specialists suggest highlights a critical need for expanded scientific monitoring.