It's been a rough ride for Florida's coral reefs! 🌺🌊 After last summer's record-breaking heat wave, the vibrant underwater world off the Florida Keys is fighting to bounce back, according to new data released on Thursday.
Imagine swimming in hot tub temperatures! That's what happened in July when the state's southern waters soared, with Manatee Bay briefly hitting a steamy 37.8°C. 🥵
Corals, those cool marine creatures made up of tiny polyps, rely on a special relationship with algae living in their tissues. These algae are like their personal chefs, providing most of their food through photosynthesis. But when waters get too warm, corals get stressed, expel their algae buddies, and turn ghostly white—this is called bleaching. Not a good look! 😱
Without their algae partners, corals are vulnerable to diseases and can even die. 🥺
A team of scientists from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) dove into action to see just how bad things were. They surveyed 64 spots across five major reefs in Florida's 410-kilometer-long barrier reef—the only one in the continental U.S. and home to amazing creatures like sea turtles 🐢, stingrays 🏄♂️, sharks 🦈, dolphins 🐬, grouper, and tons of colorful fish 🐠.
The findings? Not so sunny. ☁️ Less than 22% of about 1,500 staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) were still alive. This species is already listed as a candidate for endangered species protections. 😢
Climate change isn't just a buzzword—it's happening now, and our oceans are feeling the heat. 🔥 Scientists warn that unless we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, these precious ecosystems might not survive future heat waves.
But it's not all doom and gloom! 😊 Efforts are underway to restore and protect these underwater treasures. Organizations are working hard to regrow corals and find ways to make them more resilient. Every little bit helps! 🌍💪
So next time you think about climate change, remember the corals and all the incredible life depending on them. Let's make waves for a better future! 🌊✨
Reference(s):
After 2023 heat wave, Florida coral reefs still struggling to recover
cgtn.com
