More than 1,000 juveniles from the reef-building elkhorn species are being planted in a large-scale restoration effort by a task force of specialists tackling the widespread bleaching and degradation of Florida’s coral reefs. Over 40 years, 90% of the Florida Keys’ healthy coral cover has disappeared due to climate change. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that record ocean temperatures in 2023 hastened reef destruction in the area. This initiative is part of a broader Florida coral reef restoration mission to reverse the decline.

This restoration project focuses on elkhorn coral, a critically endangered yet resilient and rapidly growing species, and was created by marine biologists from the Keys Marine Laboratory of the University of South Florida (USF) in collaboration with experts from Tampa’s Florida Aquarium. One thousand fifty juvenile elkhorn corals, which were hatched at the aquarium’s conservation and research center in Apollo Beach between 2022 and 2023, were sent to USF’s Long Key site earlier this month.

Planting and Monitoring Across the Florida Keys

Currently, the corals at Long Key’s temperature-controlled seawater beds are acclimating. Over the next two months, research partners such as the Coral Restoration Foundation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Reef Renewal USA, and Sustainable Oceans and Reefs will receive them to plant in seven offshore locations around the Keys.

Teams will monitor their development in the upcoming months and years. Cindy Lewis, the director of Keys Marine Laboratory, stressed that even if a few juveniles survive, they might be reproduced for subsequent recovery operations. However, she conceded that not all will. She pointed out that because nothing would change if nothing were done, even a minor victory would be a significant step forward.

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Genetic Diversity and Collaboration as Keys to Success

These juveniles’ life cycle came full circle when their parent corals were removed from the water before the 2023 bleaching episode. According to NOAA, elkhorn coral branches may grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) annually and are quite resistant to wave action. They develop on top of foundation species like brain and boulder star corals to provide homes for marine life.

According to Keri O’Neil of the Florida Aquarium, the juveniles were raised to promote genetic variety, which increases their likelihood of surviving future stresses. These parent corals wouldn’t have reproduced if humans hadn’t been involved. Although this initiative emphasizes elkhorn coral, Lewis noted that over 25,000 coral pieces made this winter from staghorn, brain, star, and boulder corals were the result of larger efforts across organizations. These broader collaborations reinforce the momentum of Florida coral reef restoration efforts and improve the reefs’ long-term resilience.

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