coral reefs

A sharp rise in ocean temperatures this month has scientists keeping a close watch on coral reefs suffering from water persistently warmed by climate change.

Elkhorn coral babies, affectionately called “Flonduran” corals by researchers at the Rosenstiel School at the University of Miami, were planted in Biscayne Bay on July 1. This is the first time internationally crossbred corals have ever been planted in wild reefs.

In a surprising twist in the ongoing battle against Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), new research suggests that rising sea surface temperatures, often seen as a threat to coral, may actually slow down the spread of this highly destructive illness.

Scientists from the University of Miami, the Florida Aquarium, and Tela Marine in Honduras are transplanting crossbred coral fragments onto a reef off Miami's coast. The reef was devastated by coral bleaching two years ago. The team is introducing corals from Honduras to increase the reef's resilience to rising ocean temperatures.

Researchers at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School have found new guidance that will help elkhorn coral survive when replanted in the ocean.

The study looked at damaging turbidity, which can harm coral and seagrass, and found levels connected to cruise ships equal to hurricanes.

Left to nature, coral’s mating prospects are somewhat restricted by their inability to walk, fly or swipe Tinder to find a mate.

Nova Southeastern University and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi researchers packed up the corals Wednesday at the NSU’s Oceanographic Campus in Dania Beach.

Two more artificial reef projects are underway in the Florida Keys, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Tuesday. The network will be placed in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

In its first public meeting this week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said it was again postponing rules to limit turbidity which can damage coral and other sea life.

Despite the dedicated efforts of scientists, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced this week that no wild elkhorn — a species valued for its tough wave-shredding antlers and listed as an endangered species — could be found south of the Upper Keys.

NOAA awarded South Florida scientists up to $16 million to try to breed and replant about 100,000 coral on ailing reefs using survivors of last summer's heat wave. Researchers say climate change is the biggest threat to coral’s survival because it’s simply making water too hot too fast.