Florida: tree cactus becomes first local species killed off by sea-level rise

Key Largo tree cactus no longer growing naturally in US thanks to salt water inundation and soil depletion

Scientists in Florida have recorded what they say is the first local extinction of a species caused by sea-level rise.

The climate emergency has killed off the Key Largo tree cactus growing naturally in the US through saltwater inundation and soil depletion from hurricanes, according to researchers from the Florida Museum of Natural History, and Miami's Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.