Kristin PaterakisElkhorn coral, once prominent throughout the Florida Keys and surrounding areas, are now functionally extinct in these waters.
Coral Crisis
Catastrophic Coral Loss
Two Iconic Coral Species Now Functionally Extinct in Florida
A record-breaking heat wave in 2023 caused the functional extinction of two critically endangered corals in Florida, according to a new study published in the journal Science.
Water temps soared to the highest levels recorded on Florida’s Coral Reef in more than 150 years, and mass coral bleaching followed. Scientists from 22 institutions tracked more than 52,000 colonies of staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and elkhorn (Acropora palmata) corals across 391 sites. The Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas saw mortality rates of 98 to 100 percent.
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Staghorn and elkhorn corals already struggled due to eight previous mass bleaching events, disease and poor water quality. There are now so few of these corals that they’re unable to provide their ecosystem services, such as protecting coastlines from storm impact and homing marine life. This stage, “functional extinction,” often comes just before a species is wiped out, and experts don’t think they’ll survive without conservationists stepping in. Some corals have been taken from the wild into aquaria for safeguarding.
In the face of climate change, this study tells us one thing, says co-author Dr. Ross Cunning, research biologist at Shedd Aquarium: “We’re running out of time.” —Melissa Hobson
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