{"id":252170,"date":"2025-10-26T06:43:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-26T06:43:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/252170\/"},"modified":"2025-10-26T06:43:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-26T06:43:07","slug":"new-report-declares-floridas-350-mile-coral-reef-system-functionally-extinct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/252170\/","title":{"rendered":"New report declares Florida\u2019s 350-mile coral reef system ‘functionally extinct\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) \u2014 Scientists say Florida’s coral reefs suffered “catastrophic losses” due to extreme ocean heat, according to a study published Thursday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The study found that crucial coral species, including elkhorn and staghorn corals, are now classified as “functionally extinct.” <\/p>\n

According to the team of 46 researchers, record-breaking ocean temperatures in the summer of 2023 caused bleaching across Florida’s 350-mile reef system.<\/p>\n

See also: Florida HS principal arrested for waiting to report child abuse at school’s daycare<\/a><\/p>\n

During that summer, water temperatures reached over 90 degrees<\/a> for nearly three months straight– marking the hottest ocean temps in at least 150 years.<\/p>\n

The heat dealt a level of destruction unmatched in the reef\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Just last March 98% to 100% of coral colonies in the southern reef had died, according to the study.<\/p>\n

Scientists noted that a few remnants of the reef remain; however, they are no longer at high enough densities to sustain the reef.<\/p>\n

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