2 iconic coral species are now functionally extinct off Florida, study finds – we witnessed the reef’s bleaching and devastation

By: Carly D. Kenkel, University of Southern California; Jenna Dilworth, University of Southern California, and Maya Gomez, University of Southern California

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: October 23, 2025

Words: 1,284

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Carly D. Kenkel, University of Southern California; Jenna Dilworth, University of Southern California, and Maya Gomez, University of Southern California

In early June 2023, the coral reefs in the lower Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas were stunning. We were in diving gear, checking up on hundreds of corals we had transplanted as part of our experiments. The corals’ classic orange-brown colors showed they were thriving.

Just three weeks later, we got a …

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