Corals Make Endangered List
Florida Keys

In the 1980's, elkhorn and staghorn coral were abundant along the Florida Keys. Since then, elkhorn populations have declined by up to 95 percent in parts of their range, and staghorn populations, by 98 percent. In May 2006, the two were listed as threatened species: a first for coral.

Outbreaks of disease are primarily to blame for the coral collapse, with contributions from hurricanes, sediment, runoff, and rising sea temperatures from global warming. The so-called "white diseases" are lethal and contagious, caused by infection by a common human and animal fecal bacteria.

Scientists and residents of the Florida Keys are now working to recover and regulate access to these now-threatened species.

Image Credits
Florida and The Bahamas, January 2004 (satellite: NASA Terra, sensor: MODIS)
Florida Keys, October 28, 2001 (satellite: NASA Terra, sensor: ASTER)
Staghorn and Elkhorn coral (NOAA)
White Pox (NASA Ames)

Related Science Bulletins
Islanders Conserve Reef Fish(February 13, 2006)
Mixed Forecast for Coral Reefs(December 20, 2004)