Florida Coral Reef Elkhorn Staghorn Corals Declared Functionally Extinct After 2023 Heatwave

Recent research has documented the functional extinction of Florida's crucial elkhorn and staghorn corals following a record-breaking marine heat wave in 2023, which caused catastrophic coral mortality. These corals, vital for reef-building and coastal protection, have declined by 98% to 100% in southern Florida, undermining their ecological roles and threatening marine biodiversity and coastal communities. The heat wave led to prolonged water temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit, inducing severe coral bleaching and mortality. Scientists warn that this functional extinction marks a critical tipping point for coral ecosystems and underscores the urgent need for ambitious actions to combat ocean warming and enhance coral resilience. The loss of these corals also jeopardizes Florida's fishing and tourism industries, which rely on healthy reef ecosystems, and diminishes natural coastal defenses against storms. Experts emphasize that the rapid collapse of these species exemplifies the severe and accelerating impacts of climate change on marine environments.