Two crucial Florida coral species left ‘functionally extinct’ by ocean heatwave

Climate crisis drives near-total collapse of staghorn and elkhorn corals that formed backbone to state's reefs

Two of the most important coral species that made up Florida's reef are now functionally extinct after a withering ocean heatwave caused catastrophic losses, scientists have found.

The near-total collapse of the corals that once formed the backbone of reefs in Florida and the Caribbean means they can no longer play their previously crucial role in building and sustaining reef ecosystems that host a variety of marine life.