According to experts, Florida’s coral reefs are experiencing negative effects due to the extreme heat that is affecting the planet. As water temperatures rise, some reefs in the Florida Keys are turning white prematurely and losing their color earlier than usual. Katey Lesneski, research and monitoring coordinator for Mission: Iconic Reefs, has observed that the corals are becoming pale and even stark white. The extreme temperatures have caused deadly consequences for some coral reef restoration sites. The Coral Restoration Foundation reported that 99% of the corals in Cheeca Rocks, known for its high live stony coral coverage, have bleached. When ocean temperatures rise too much, the algae that usually reside in coral tissues depart, leading to coral bleaching. While not all bleaching events are fatal, they cause significant stress to the corals and make them more susceptible to future bleaching events. Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have raised their coral bleaching warning system to Alert Level 2, the highest heat stress level, for the Florida Keys. The average water surface temperature has been about 1°C above the normal maximum for eight consecutive weeks. Surface temperatures around the Keys have been averaging about 33°C, well above the normal mid-July average of 29.5°C. Florida’s coral reefs play important roles in ocean ecosystems and provide protection from storms. They also support the tourism and food sectors in the area, providing more than 71,000 jobs. The CEO of the Coral Restoration Foundation emphasizes the need for global efforts to combat climate change, stating that it is having a significant impact on coral reefs worldwide.
National: Florida’s Coral Reef Experiences Unprecedented Bleaching Due to Extreme Heat
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