These iconic corals are nearly extinct due to heatwaves: can they be saved?

Record Heatwave Wipes Out Two Iconic Coral Species from Florida's Reef System

A devastating heatwave that struck Florida last year has left the state's coral reef system in a precarious state. The 2023 heatwave, which saw ocean temperatures soar above 31 degrees Celsius for nearly four weeks, was the final blow to two iconic coral species that have thrived along the state's coastlines for over 10,000 years.

The elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) and staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), once the primary reef-builders off Florida's southern coast, are now on the brink of extinction. A study published in Science has confirmed that these species have reached a critical threshold known as "functionally extinct," meaning they can no longer play a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

The heatwave was particularly brutal for corals, which rely on symbiotic algae to survive. When water temperatures rise above 30 degrees Celsius, corals expel their algal partners, leading to a loss of nutrients and ultimately, death. The prolonged exposure to these extreme temperatures not only killed off vast swaths of coral but also had a ripple effect throughout the entire ecosystem.

The impact of this heatwave will be felt for generations to come. "This ecosystem is forever transformed," warns Dr. Ross Cunning, co-author of the study and a coral biologist at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The shift away from these iconic species means that conservation efforts must fundamentally change to address the pressing issue of climate change.

The devastating consequences of this heatwave have left many scientists and conservationists reeling. For years, researchers had been working to raise elkhorn corals in laboratories and then reintroduce them into the wild. However, the vast majority of these efforts were for naught, with most corals succumbing to the extreme conditions.

But there is still hope. Scientists are exploring alternative approaches, such as breeding brain and star corals – species that have proven more resilient to bleaching events. Additionally, researchers are working to preserve the genetic diversity of elkhorn corals by identifying rare individuals that survived the heatwave. While this may not be enough to bring back the elkhorn coral, it could provide a crucial foothold in their conservation.

As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, the loss of these iconic coral species serves as a stark reminder of our responsibility to protect the planet's most vulnerable ecosystems. The fate of the Florida reef system hangs in the balance, and it is up to us to ensure that we learn from this disaster and work towards a more sustainable future for all marine life.

I remember when people used to say that coral reefs were like underwater cities but now they're struggling just like our cities are after those heatwaves last year . I mean, what's the point of even having a reef if it can't support life? It's not just about the corals, though - the whole ecosystem is at risk . We should be doing more to prevent this kind of disaster from happening again, like investing in renewable energy and reducing our carbon footprint . I'm all for trying out new conservation methods, though - maybe we can find a way to revive those elkhorn corals or something . It's just so sad that it came down to this... we're losing a piece of our planet's history .

omg u cant believe what just happened 2 florida's coral reefs!! 1 heatwave & its wiped out 2 iconic species that've been around 4 over 10k yrs lol climate change is no joke these corals relied on symbiotic algae 2 survive but when temps got above 30°c they just DIED & it's not just them the entire ecosystem got affected now u gotta think about all the other sea creatures that call this reef home they need those corals 2 thrive & its gonna take yrs 4 us 2 figure out how 2 bring back these species or at least preserve some genetic diversity maybe we can get lucky w/ brain & star corals tho but seriously we gotta do better 4 our oceans

just saw that two iconic coral species are gone for good... 10k yrs of thriving and now they're extinct ‍ what's next? our planet is literally on fire we need to take action NOW to address climate change before it's too late

I'm really shocked about what happened to those coral reefs in Florida! 10,000 years of them existing and now they're basically gone? It's crazy how the heatwave killed off two iconic species that were super important for the ecosystem. I feel like it's a wake-up call for us to take care of our planet better, especially when it comes to climate change . Scientists are trying new approaches, but it's still sad that the elkhorn coral is gone for good... maybe we can learn from this and try to save other species?

omg 10k yrs of history & now its gone these corals were like superheroes of the sea building entire ecosystems but climate change just wiped them out in seconds i mean what can we do? we gotta be more proactive about reducing our carbon footprint & supporting conservation efforts ASAP

This news is just heartbreaking. I mean, think about it - two species that have been around for over 10,000 years are now on the brink of extinction because of our addiction to fossil fuels . It's like we're playing a game of roulette with the planet and losing. The elkhorn coral and staghorn coral were (and still are) some of the most iconic and majestic creatures in the ocean, and their loss is not just an ecological disaster but also a cultural one - I mean, what will we lose when these incredible reefs just don't exist anymore?

And you know what's even more depressing? That scientists have been working on this for years and still couldn't save them. I mean, those lab-grown corals must have cost millions of dollars... and they all went up in smoke because we didn't care enough to act fast enough . But you know what? It's not too late. There are people out there who actually care about this stuff (I'm looking at you, Dr. Cunning) and who are working on alternative approaches.

It's just a reminder that our actions have consequences... big time. We need to be more responsible with our energy consumption, reduce our carbon footprint, and start thinking about the long-term effects of climate change. Otherwise, we'll lose not just coral reefs but entire ecosystems and biodiversity .

Ugh, can you believe this ? Like, two whole species wiped out by some heatwave? It's crazy! The thing is, I know the elkhorn coral has been around since like 10k years ago and stuff, but that doesn't mean it's invincible to climate change. Scientists have been trying to warn us about this for ages, but we just keep ignoring them . Now we're paying the price and it's devastating.

And I'm so sick of all these people saying "we should've done something sooner" like it's that easy to just turn off the heat or something . It's not that simple. We need to take responsibility for our actions and make changes NOW. Like, breeding brain and star corals is a good start, but we need more than that.

It's all about making sustainable choices and reducing our carbon footprint, you know? Like, who even uses fossil fuels anymore ? We should be focusing on renewable energy sources and protecting these ecosystems. The Florida reef system is just the beginning, unfortunately . We need to take action globally before it's too late.

just saw this news about florida's coral reefs... like, 2 species gone forever what's going on with our oceans? I know climate change is a big deal but i never thought it would affect things like corals so much. they're like the foundation of those reef systems and now they're just disappearing... really scary stuff. i guess we need to find new ways to help them recover or at least preserve some genetic diversity does anyone know about any cool projects that are trying to save these coral species?

Ugh just saw that the heatwave in Florida last year wiped out 2 iconic coral species that's been around for over 10k yrs... what a tragedy those corals were literally the backbone of the ecosystem now they're basically extinct it's like, we knew this was coming but still... climate change is no joke scientists are trying to find new ways to save other coral species but it's just so sad

omg u guys! its so sad 2 hear about the coral reefs in florida they've been around 4 over 10k yrs & now they're basically done thats just devastating 1 way 2 look at it is that we're finally starting 2 wake up & realize the impact of climate change on our planet its not too late but we gotta act fast & make some serious changes 2 reduce our carbon footprint & protect these incredible ecosystems

my heart goes out to those who've lost their connection with nature... coral reefs are like underwater cities that support so much life & it's devastating to think about the elkhorn & staghorn corals being wiped out . I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for scientists who've dedicated their lives to conservation efforts, only to see them fail . but there is hope! let's focus on finding alternative solutions & preserving genetic diversity it's not too late to make a difference & learn from this disaster

Another species wiped out by human greed . It's like our actions have no consequences... or do they? We keep pushing the planet until it breaks, and when it does, we're all left wondering what happened to the coral reefs that once thrived. Meanwhile, scientists are still trying to find a way to bring back the elkhorn coral . Maybe it's time we focus on preserving what's already left instead of trying to revive the past?

omg u guys can't believe what's happening to florida's coral reef ! like 2 species that've been around 4k yrs are GONE . it's not just the corals tho, whole ecosystem is messed up. scientists r trying to come up with new plans but it's a big task . we need to start takin care of our planet ASAP or else who knows what'll happen next?

I'm literally heartbroken about these iconic coral species being wiped out... 10,000 years of history gone in an instant. What's the point of even trying to save them if it's just going to be a never-ending cycle of heatwaves and bleaching? We need real change, not just half-baked conservation efforts that only delay the inevitable. Can't we just switch to renewable energy already?! And what about the rest of the ecosystem? I mean, who's gonna replace these coral species when they're gone?

I'm telling you, this heatwave is a wake-up call, right? I mean, who's saying we should take care of our planet? But, on the other hand, think about it, these coral species have been thriving for 10,000 years, they're basically superheroes. Shouldn't we do everything in our power to save them? It's not like they're asking for much, just a bit of cooler water and some TLC . But then again, what if this is the tipping point? Maybe we should be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Ugh, I'm all over the place today .

I'm really worried about the state of Florida's coral reef system right now. It's like the final nail in the coffin for these incredible ecosystems. The fact that two iconic species are on the brink of extinction is just heartbreaking. We need to take responsibility for our actions and work towards reducing carbon emissions ASAP. It's not just about the corals, but about the entire ecosystem that depends on them.

I'm glad scientists are exploring alternative approaches, like breeding more resilient coral species or preserving genetic diversity. But we need to see some real action from governments and conservationists. We can't just hope for a miracle, we need concrete plans in place to mitigate the effects of climate change.

This heatwave is a wake-up call for all of us. It's time to take this issue seriously and work together to protect our planet's most vulnerable ecosystems.