Florida Keys Coral Reef

Florida Keys

Introduction

  • The Florida Keys are home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S.
  • Presentation by Rhemi Fletcher, Nylah May, Danica Jackson, Gabrielle Grant, and Nia Marriott.

What is a Coral Reef?

  • A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem.
  • Created by coral polyps, which are tiny marine animals.
  • Coral polyps secrete hard, calcium carbonate skeletons.

Conditions Necessary for Formation

  • Water temperature between 23° and 25° Celsius is required.
  • The water must be warm, clear, and saltwater with the right salinity.
  • Coral reefs need a balance of abiotic factors to thrive.

Florida Keys Location and Significance

  • Located along the southeast of Florida. Approximately 2/3 of the reefs are along the Biscayne National Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
  • The Florida Keys is the only living coral barrier reef in the United States.
  • It is home to many living marine ecosystems and is a popular tourist destination.

Size and Length

  • The Florida Reef extends to approximately 350 linear miles.

Types of Coral Reefs Found in the Florida Keys

  • Barrier Reefs
    • Long, offshore reefs that run parallel to the coastline.
    • Separated from land by a lagoon.
  • Fringing Reefs
    • Reefs that grow directly from a shoreline.
    • Little to no lagoon between the land and the reef.
  • Patch Reefs
    • Small, isolated reef outcrops found between fringing and barrier reefs.
    • Often within lagoons.
    • These make up most of the Florida Keys system.
    • Protect the islands from wave action and storm surges.
    • Less common but may appear in shallow, protected bays or cove areas, especially near mangroves.
    • Very common in the shallow waters and seagrass beds between the Keys and the main reef tract.
    • Support a variety of marine life and are key snorkeling and diving spots.

Ecological Importance

  • They support a vast diversity of marine life.
  • Acting as habitats, nurseries, and breeding grounds for a quarter of all known marine species.

Human Interaction

  • Tourism
    • Florida's Coral Reef attracts millions of visitors each year.
    • Generating over 6 billion in tourism revenue.
    • Supports local economies through restaurants, lodging, and tour operations.
    • Tourism can challenge reef protection but also offers opportunities for increased conservation awareness and support.
  • Economic Impact
    • Florida's Coral Reef supports approximately 71,000 jobs annually in South Florida.
    • Plays a vital role in coastal protection, offering more than 650 million in benefits through flood prevention and safeguarding economic activities.
  • Importance and benefits
    • The Florida Reef is a crucial natural and economic asset that protects the coastline from storms and erosion.
    • Supports marine biodiversity, boosts tourism, and provides over 650 million in flood and economic protection benefits.
  • Education and Research Centres
    • Organizations like The Reef Institute, Reef Relief, and NOAA educate the public and students through lessons, camps, and field trips.
    • Research is conducted by groups including the FWC, Mote Marine Lab, DEP, and NOAA, especially within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
    • Contributing to reef conservation and scientific understanding.

Threats to Reef

  • Climate Change
    • Rising sea temperatures cause coral bleaching, where corals expel the symbiotic algae they rely on, often leading to death.
  • Ocean Acidification
    • Increased CO_2$$ in the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean, lowering the pH and making it harder for corals to build their calcium carbonate skeletons.
  • Pollution
    • Runoff from land—including fertilizers, pesticides, oil, and plastic—can poison corals and promote algae growth that smothers reefs.
  • Overfishing
    • Removing key species disrupts the ecological balance, leading to overgrowth of algae and weakened reef structures.

Conservation Efforts

  • Coral Bleaching (caused by climate change)
    • Solution: Coral Restoration Programs
  • Ocean Acidification
    • Solution: Encouraging the reduction of carbon emissions.
  • Water Pollution
    • Solution: Improved Wastewater Treatment
  • Overfishing
    • Solution: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Questions for review

  1. What is a Coral Reef?
  2. What are the conditions necessary for transforming?
  3. Types of Coral reefs found in Florida key?
  4. What are some threats to the Corals?

Conclusion

  • Thank you for listening.
  • We hope you all learnt something new today!