Floreana coral  (Tubastraea floreana)

Thought to once have been fairly widespread around the Galápagos Islands, since the El Niño event of 1982-83, this coral has only been found at Cousins Rocks and Gardner Islet, and despite searches specifically for this species, Floreana coral has not been seen at Cousins Rocks since 2001 (1). This suggests that Floreana coral populations suffered mortalities as a result of the El Niño event, and it is therefore likely that any other alterations to the water temperatures surrounding the Galápagos Islands, such as global climate change, will also threaten this coral (1).

The unique biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands and the surrounding waters is recognised and valued, and thus the region is protected by being designated a Marine Reserve and World Heritage Site (1). Floreana coral is also included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that any international trade in this species should be carefully regulated (2). Unfortunately, neither of these measures protects this Critically Endangered coral from the threats of natural, or man-induced, climate change.