Over 5,000 species of corals are known worldwide, supporting around 30% of all marine organisms. However, a 2019 paper published by Nature Journal reported that coral reefs cover only 0.5% of the ocean floor.
Coral reefs grow in warm waters, typically 23-30°C, with access to sunlight, away from areas of high sediment and pollution.
Alarmingly, human impact and global warming are causing coral reefs to decline rapidly. In the past 30 years, Earth has lost approximately 50% of all coral coverage. Scientists predict that up to 90% of all corals will die by 2050.
Drilling down to specific observations, as of 2022, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species reports that 33% of all coral species face extinction. In a further illustration, Science Journal reported that between 1977 and 2001, coral coverage in the Caribbean sea is estimated to have dropped from 50% to just 10%.
Coral Reefs in Thailand
Today, Thailand is home to more than 4,000 species of fish and 700 categorized types of coral. The trend in Thailand is identical – coral reefs are disappearing fast.
Directly related to Koh Tao, Thailand’s Ramkhamhaeng University shared an academic paper stating that “Farther south to Suratthani, there are several islands which harbor well developed coral reefs. Koh Samui, Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Tao Islands are the famous tourist places. They are undergoing severe degradation. Conservation activities and proper management plans for the coral reefs in this region are required.”