Florida scientists seek heat-resistant coral to save reefs
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Off the coast of Florida, scientists from the University of Miami and volunteer divers are working to restore coral reefs and identify coral species that can survive warmer ocean temperatures.
The “Rescue a Reef” program began in 2015 and combines scientific research with public education, aiming to rebuild the ecosystem by planting young coral. Researchers are focusing on species like mountainous star coral, which appears more resilient to heat stress and bleaching.
Coral reefs protect shorelines from erosion and support diverse marine life, but a marine heat wave in 2023 led to the functional extinction of elkhorn and staghorn coral in Florida. The team plants coral fragments onto structures like “coral trees” and table frames, protecting them from fish with predation umbrellas and monitoring their health with color charts. The program has planted 615 corals this summer, with 228 specifically for a study on thermal bleaching.
Researchers share their findings with Florida’s environmental and wildlife authorities. Despite the recent conclusion of a fourth global coral bleaching event, ocean temperatures remain higher than they were 25 to 30 years ago, increasing the urgency of this work.
