The recent study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Shedd Aquarium reveals alarming news regarding Florida’s coral reefs. Elkhorn and staghorn corals, once abundant in the region, have been declared “functionally extinct” amid record ocean temperatures.
Record Ocean Temperatures Impacting Coral Health
In the summer of 2023, Florida experienced unprecedented heat, with water temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This marked the highest recorded ocean temperature in the region in over 150 years. Such extreme heat is lethal for corals, causing them to expel the algae that provide their color and essential energy.
The three-month duration of the 2023 heatwave had devastating consequences. Research emphasized that the corals may not recover as prolonged heat increases their mortality risk. Data collected from more than 52,300 Acropora corals showed that by March 2024, a staggering 98% to 100% of colonies in the southern segment of Florida’s coral reef system had perished.
Ecological Fallout from Coral Loss
The term “functional extinction” indicates that while some corals remain, their densities are insufficient to fulfill their ecological roles. Ross Cunning, a research biologist at Shedd Aquarium and study author, stressed that these corals are essential for building and maintaining reef structures.
- Surviving coral colonies are vulnerable to:
- Diseases
- Predators
- Storm damage
- Consequences of loss include:
- Slower reef growth
- Reduced habitat complexity
- Increased exposure of coastlines to storms
A Call to Action for Coral Conservation
The findings serve as a critical warning regarding the future of coral reefs globally. Research from the University of Exeter indicates that many warm-water coral reefs are already beyond a tipping point due to climate change. In Florida, the natural recovery of Acropora corals seems improbable.
Predictions indicate severe coral bleaching may become an annual occurrence by 2040. Without effective climate action, true extinctions of multiple coral species across the Caribbean could occur in the coming decades.
Efforts have been made to bolster Florida’s coral populations through nurseries, both onshore and offshore. However, the success of these initiatives hinges on the frequency and severity of future bleaching events.
Experts assert that while the situation is dire, it is not without hope. Keri O’Neil from the Florida Aquarium emphasized the importance of immediate action to mitigate planet-heating pollution. The report, according to Cunning, should not be seen as hopeless but rather as a pivotal call for immediate intervention and robust climate action.
