The coral reef off southeast Florida is experiencing an unprecedented and potentially deadly level of bleaching this summer because of rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change, federal scientists said Thursday.
Some sites around the Florida Keys are being exposed to twice the amount of heat stress that causes corals to die, and earlier in the year than ever before, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a telephone news conference. They said the phenomenon is likely to affect the Caribbean very soon and a global bleaching event could be just around the corner.
Ocean surface temperatures off the Florida coast have risen to above 90 degrees Fahrenheit this summer, but scientists said they won’t know the extent of damage until early next year. is the world’s third-largest, extending about 350 miles from the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico to St. Lucie Inlet, about 115 miles north of Miami. The coral reef ecosystem sustains thousands of marine life species, protects against erosion and supports tourism based on scuba, snorkeling and fishing.
“Florida is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Derek Manzello, coordinator of NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch Program. “The scale of this event is very alarming. We are talking about thousands upon thousands of miles of coral reefs undergoing bleaching from severe heat stress.”At this point, a tropical storm or hurricane — although undesirable for other reasons — would be the best way to cool the waters and limit the damage, Manzello said.
Up and down the chain of islands that form the Florida Keys, coral rescue groups and government and academic institutions to save the corals by relocating them to land-based facilities where they can be studied. The goal is to figure out which coral types are best at surviving heat stress and then using them to build a more resilient reef, said Andy Bruckner, research coordinator for NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
The heroic effort to save Florida’s coral reef from a historic heatwaveScientists from universities, coral reef restoration groups and government agencies launched a heroic effort to save the corals.
Baca lebih lajut »
A Heroic Effort Aims to Save Florida’s Coral Reefs from Record HeatAs waters off Florida hit abnormally hot temperatures, volunteer divers are rescuing corals to ride out the heat wave in giant tanks on land
Baca lebih lajut »
Deep-Sea Mining Could Begin Soon, Regulated or NotMining the seafloor could boost global production of clean energy technology—and destroy the ocean in the process
Baca lebih lajut »
Florida tourism numbers dip year-over-year for the first time since early 2021Fewer people traveled to Florida in the second quarter of this year compared to the same time frame last year.
Baca lebih lajut »
Florida mother and daughter caretakers sentenced for stealing more than $500k from elderly patientA southwest Florida mother and daughter hired to care for an elderly person have been sentenced to federal prison for stealing more than a half-million dollars from their former patient.
Baca lebih lajut »