# Coral reef extinction risks and restoration efforts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/coral-reef-extinction-risks-and-restoration-efforts > Updated: 2026-10-26T18:00:00.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 4. Scientific assessments published in the journal Nature indicate that a significant portion of reef-building coral species face extinction risks due to ocean warming and acidification. Initial reports suggest that over 40% of these species are at risk, with approximately 340 species classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Subsequent data specifies that 44% of reef-building species are threatened, noting that 340 out of 774 species with sufficient data are at risk, including 33 species in critical danger. Regional variations show that 43% of species are at risk in the Pacific and Great Barrier Reef, while the risk rises to 50% in the Atlantic. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identifies rising ocean temperatures and global warming as the primary drivers of this decline. The threat is exacerbated by marine heatwaves and “super” El Niño events, which cause coral bleaching and mass mortality. The IUCN warns that 96% of the world’s shallow-water coral reef systems are now classified as “critically endangered,” facing an extremely high risk of ecosystem collapse by 2075. This projected collapse, driven by climate scenarios predicting 2.7 degrees Celsius of warming by the end of the century, could see hard corals replaced by algae, rubble, and sponges, destroying habitats for roughly 25% of all marine species. In response, restoration initiatives such as the Reefvive project, developed by a team from National Taiwan Normal University, utilize 3D printing to create artificial reef modules. A finalist in the James Dyson Award, the project uses marine waste, including crushed oyster shells and coral debris, to manufacture brain coral-patterned supports designed to host new coral fragments and provide habitats for fish. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: Coral reefs face extreme risk of collapse due to climate change New research warns that 96% of shallow-water coral ecosystems risk collapse by 2075, with 44% of coral species facing high extinction risks due to rising ocean temperatures. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coral-reefs-face-extreme-risk-of-collapse-due-to-climate-change ### 2026-10-24: IUCN warns 96% of shallow-water coral reefs face collapse by 2075 The IUCN reports that 96% of shallow-water coral reefs are critically endangered and face potential collapse by 2075 due to climate-driven ocean warming. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iucn-warns-96-of-shallow-water-coral-reefs-face-collapse-by-2075 ### 2026-10-19: Coral reef-building species face 44% extinction risk A study in Nature shows 44% of reef-building coral species are threatened with extinction due to ocean warming and climate change, with risks potentially higher following recent marine heatwaves. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coral-reef-building-species-face-44-extinction-risk ### 2026-10-17: Coral reef species face extinction risks amid ocean warming Over 40% of coral species face extinction due to ocean warming, prompting innovative restoration efforts like Reefvive, which uses 3D-printed marine waste to create artificial reef habitats. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coral-reef-species-face-extinction-risks-amid-ocean-warming --- Cite as: Coral reef extinction risks and restoration efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/coral-reef-extinction-risks-and-restoration-efforts