A recent global analysis indicates that more than half of coral reefs are located less than 30 minutes from the nearest human settlement, but these reefs are receiving less protection than reefs located farther away from people. This suggests that conservation efforts are targeting reefs that may already be receiving protection due to their isolation.

"This suggests that conservation efforts are disproportionally targeting reefs that may already be receiving natural or de facto protection due to their isolation," said Dr. David Mouillot, senior author of the Ecology Letters article.