A riparian zone is the area of land alongside rivers, streams, and other freshwater systems where water and land meet. These spaces are often lined with native vegetation, including trees, shrubs, grasses, and wetlands that help stabilize soil and support biodiversity. Riparian zones may seem far removed from coral reefs, but they are deeply connected.… Continue Reading →
In 1997-8, a powerful El Niño event spread across the Pacific Ocean, driving record-breaking sea surface temperatures and triggering the first documented global coral bleaching event. Reefs from the Indian Ocean to the Caribbean experienced widespread stress, and in some regions, significant coral mortality followed. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this… Continue Reading →
Think of a coral reef as a bustling city, full of unique homes, buildings, and landscapes. And with that, unique residents who all serve different purposes. This diversity is key to any city. The same is true underwater. The diversity of corals—along with the fish, invertebrates, and algae that live among them—is what keeps reef… Continue Reading →
Coral reefs are facing more pressure than ever, specifically warming oceans, land-based pollution, and overfishing. But despite these growing challenges, reefs still have an incredible capacity to adapt. The key is making sure they’re healthy, connected, and supported at scale. At the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), our conservation strategy focuses on building connected reef networks—large,… Continue Reading →
Coral reefs are changing. Warmer oceans, polluted water, and shifting ecosystems are rewriting the conditions reefs have depended on for thousands of years. What often gets lost in that conversation is this: corals are not static and some even have the genetic ability to adapt. At the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), adaptation is not a… Continue Reading →
By Zach Hoffman When I joined the Coral Reef Alliance, I knew our work spanned some of the most important coral reef ecosystems in the world. But knowing that on paper is very different from standing on the shore of one of those places for the first time. My first visit to CORAL’s Eastern Caribbean… Continue Reading →
Coral Bleaching Awareness Month is entering a new chapter. For 3 years, this global campaign has helped people understand one of the most visible signs of stress on coral reefs. Now, Coral Bleaching Awareness Month will take place in September, aligning global attention with the time of year when bleaching impacts and reef monitoring are… Continue Reading →
For millions of people around the world and countless species beneath the waves, coral reefs are far more than a tourist destination. They are essential lifelines. Reefs support food systems, protect coastlines, and sustain economies, yet today they face immense pressures that threaten their longevity. In this context, the 2025 Impact Report from the Coral… Continue Reading →
Across the Western Caribbean, coral reefs are shaped by local leadership as much as environmental conditions. In 2025, the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) worked closely with communities, governments, and partners to reduce pollution, strengthen reef protection, and support the enabling conditions reefs need to withstand climate change. From Honduras to Belize and Mexico, this work… Continue Reading →