Sea 37.8 degrees warm

Florida: Fatal heat destroys coral reef

A coral reef in Key West, California, that has been severely affected by climate change.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Joseph Prezioso)

The coral reef off the southern tip of Florida has been severely damaged by the heatwave of summer 2023, according to the latest scientific data.

As the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday (local time), a survey of 64 sites on the reef revealed that less than 22 percent of the 1,500 or so staghorn corals (Acropora cervicornis) that used to live there had survived. Elkhorn corals were only found in three places.

The data provided an "insight into the future of corals in a warming world", warned NOAA expert Sarah Fangman with reference to global climate change. According to her, the findings will also be used in the agency's efforts to restore almost 280,000 square meters of coral reef in the Florida Keys - the islands at the southern tip of the US state.

Problems due to coral bleaching
Last summer, sea temperatures in the area rose to 37.8 degrees. If the water temperature rises too much, a phenomenon known as coral bleaching occurs. The corals then reject the algae living inside them, which are their primary source of food. As a result, the corals lose their colors and are in mortal danger.