Water Temps Soar In Florida Keys. Can Coral Reefs Stand More Extreme Heat?

"Florida’s coral reefs experienced the deadliest bleaching event in history last summer, a toll largely caused by record hot coastal waters.

Now, water temperatures in the Florida Keys are already approaching the coral danger zone — earlier and hotter than last year.

It was enough for federal scientists to issue the earliest ever coral bleaching watch, an indicator that the already struggling South Florida reef tract could facie another round of severe heat stress in the months ahead."

Ashley Miznazi reports for the Miami Herald May 24, 2024.