Coral Reefs Face "Functional Extinction" After Record-Breaking Heat Wave

In the summer of 2023, a record-setting marine heat wave swept through the Caribbean, devastating Florida's coral reefs. According to a new report published in the journal Science, the heat wave caused the deaths of up to 100% of two key "reef builder" coral species - staghorn and elkhorn. These corals have provided the structural foundation for Caribbean reef ecosystems for thousands of years.

The heat stress experienced by the reefs during this event was as much as four times greater than any previous heat wave or prior year on record. As a result, researchers say the affected corals did not even have a chance to bleach - they simply "started melting" and "sloughing their tissue." This has led to the "functional extinction" of these crucial species in the region, meaning there are no longer enough left to continue performing their vital ecosystem services.

Experts warn that the damage felt in the wake of this heat wave is likely permanent. The report's co-authors note that coral reefs have become the first environmental system on Earth to pass a climate "tipping point" as global warming increases ocean temperatures worldwide. With around 25% of all marine life depending on coral reefs, the loss of these habitats could have devastating ripple effects on the entire Caribbean ecosystem.