Heat-driven functional extinction of Caribbean <i>Acropora</i> corals from Florida’s Coral Reef

In 2023, a record-setting marine heat wave triggered the ninth mass coral bleaching event on Florida's Coral Reef (FCR). We examined spatial patterns of heat exposure along the ~560-kilometer length of FCR and the mortality of two ecologically important, critically endangered reef-building corals. Sea surface temperatures were ≥31°C for an average of 40.7 days, leading to heat exposures 2.2- to fourfold higher than all prior years on record. In the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas, 97.8 to 100% of the <i>Acropora palmata</i> and <i>Acropora cervicornis</i> colonies died. Mortality was lower offshore southeast Florida (37.9%), reflecting cooler temperatures in this region. Since the late 1970s, multiple stressors had already reduced the ecological relevance of <i>Acropora</i> in Florida, but the 2023 heat wave marks their functional extinction from FCR.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Science
Published
2025-10-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adx7825
Citations
18
Primary Topic
Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
30.89
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Heat-driven functional extinction of Caribbean Acropora corals from Florida’s Coral Reef

Ilsa B. Kuffner, Bryce Corbett, Blake L. Spady, Martine D’Alessandro et al.
18 citations
Science
Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
30.89
article

Heat-driven functional extinction of Caribbean Acropora corals from Florida’s Coral Reef

Ilsa B. Kuffner, Bryce Corbett, Blake L. Spady, Martine D’Alessandro, Grace Hanson, Dalton Hesley, Jenna Dilworth, Erich Bartels, Diego Lirman, Sara D. Williams, Andrew W. Bruckner, DE Williams, Mark C. Ladd, Maya Gomez, Lindsay K. Huebner, Cailin Harrell, Erinn M. Muller, Erick Geiger, Amanda S. Bourque, Andrew Charles Baker, Olivia M. Williamson, Alexandra D. Wen, David S. Gilliam, Richard F. Karp, S Lee, Angelo Jason Spadaro, Cory Walter, John Everett Parkinson, Derek P. Manzello, Hanna Koch, PH Montoya-Maya, Ross Cunning, Craig P. Dahlgren, Shayle B. Matsuda, Carly D. Kenkel, Kristen T. Brown, Kathryn C. Lesneski, Ken Nedimyer, Gang Liu, Jennifer Moore, John Stein, Joseph Unsworth, Rob Ruzicka, Joe Kuehl, Amanda Lewan, Ryan Bonhag, Alexandra Borreil
article en
18 citations

Abstract

In 2023, a record-setting marine heat wave triggered the ninth mass coral bleaching event on Florida's Coral Reef (FCR). We examined spatial patterns of heat exposure along the ~560-kilometer length of FCR and the mortality of two ecologically important, critically endangered reef-building corals. Sea surface temperatures were ≥31°C for an average of 40.7 days, leading to heat exposures 2.2- to fourfold higher than all prior years on record. In the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas, 97.8 to 100% of the <i>Acropora palmata</i> and <i>Acropora cervicornis</i> colonies died. Mortality was lower offshore southeast Florida (37.9%), reflecting cooler temperatures in this region. Since the late 1970s, multiple stressors had already reduced the ecological relevance of <i>Acropora</i> in Florida, but the 2023 heat wave marks their functional extinction from FCR.

ScienceVol. 390(6771)
University of Southern California (US), United States Geological Survey (US), National Park Service (US), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US), University of Miami (US), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (US), Florida International University (US), Nova Southeastern University (US), University of South Florida (US), Bay Area Discovery Museum (US), Mote Marine Laboratory (US), Shedd Aquarium (US), NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories (US), Global Science & Technology (United States) (US), NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center (US), NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (US), Reef Environmental Education Foundation (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
30.89
DOISourceOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.