Fish & Wildlife Disease: Coral Diseases
Corals reefs support marine biodiversity, protect coastlines from storm surges and strong waves, and provide income from tourism to coastal communities. Coral diseases were first recognized in the 1970s and are now considered a major threat to coral reef survival worldwide. Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) emerged in Florida in 2014, impacting coral reefs in Florida, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and other Caribbean reefs. SCTLD causes high mortality rates in multiple species and now threatens Pacific coral reefs.
USGS Coral Disease Science Team:
James Patrick Cronin, James Evans, Aine C Hawthorn, Margaret Hunter, Deborah D Iwanowicz, Christina Kellogg, Kevin Lafferty, Julien Martin, Travis McDevitt-Galles, Adam A Perez, Maureen K Purcell, Katie Richgels, Caroline Rogers, W. Bane Schill, Daniel P. Walsh, C. LeAnn White, and Thierry M Work
Coral Disease Research
High water temperatures bleaching coral along south Florida coast
As much of the world grapples with historic heat waves exacerbated by climate change and the ongoing El Nino event, ocean temperatures are also on the rise.
High water temperatures bleaching coral along south Florida coast
As much of the world grapples with historic heat waves exacerbated by climate change and the ongoing El Nino event, ocean temperatures are also on the rise.