A recent study conducted by researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed alarming consequences of the record hot seawater in the Florida Keys. Over three-quarters of human-cultivated coral, including the threatened staghorn and elkhorn species, succumbed to the prolonged exposure to high water temperatures. These delicate corals are highly vulnerable to climate change, with human activities exacerbating the situation.
The team revisited five reefs where the coral had been planted to assess their survival. Shockingly, the majority of both replanted and wild coral showed signs of widespread death, a devastating outcome attributed to human-induced climate change and an El Nino event. One of the researchers, coral biologist Katey Lesneski, expressed deep sorrow at the loss of these iconic coral species, emphasizing the economic, ecological, and aesthetic value they provide to the ecosystem.
