Web Dive 1 Sand Key - Page 7

This fast growing coral lives precariously close to the surface and is subject to hurricane damage more than any other coral on the reef. The strange thing about the disappearance of the elkhorn coral that occupied this shallow reef is that it lived for a period of twenty five years without suffering any major hurricane damage. Yet, it was during this lull in hurricane activity that it slowly disappeared. Multiple stresses, including coastal development, poor water quality and over visitation by snorkelers are factors, that combined, may have influenced the demise of this endangered coral.

Approaching the shallow reef we see that new coral growth is apparent. This creates a perplexing situation. If this coral is growing, why are other species of coral in the vicinity diseased and disappearing?

This elkhorn coral is very new; only a year old. Over the past year Florida has been experiencing the worst drought in recorded history and there has been very little stormwater runoff from land. This has improved the quality of water passing over the reef during this period. The paradox is that many sea fans and smaller boulder corals are sick and continue to decline as this new elkhorn coral flourishes.

If this new coral is the product of the cleaner water the reefs have experienced during the drought, we should monitor these small outcrops of coral growth through the upcoming rainy season. This will tell us if exposure to land- based runoff is associated with coral degradation. The new elkhorn coral growth to the right is very encouraging as it grows over the relatively clean bottom substrate.

Web Dive 1 - Sand Key Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |

Web Dive 2 - Rock Key Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |