Unexplainable Trouble on Pickles Reef
Nov 1, 2023
Explore the decline of coral reefs in the Florida Keys and the efforts to restore them. Learn about the benefits of the Apple Card and the future of email. Discover the challenges and excitement of breeding heat-resistant corals. Dive into the uncertainties of restoring coral reefs in the face of climate change.
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Bleached Coral Battlefield
- Benji Jones saw vast areas of staghorn coral completely bleached white at Pickles Reef after a major heatwave.
- The reef looked like a boneyard, devastated and far worse than expected, deeply affecting those who had restored it.
Coral Bleaching Explained
- Coral bleaching occurs when the algae that color and feed coral leave due to heat, starving the coral and turning it white.
- This breakdown of the coral-algae partnership leads to coral death if the heat stress persists.
Witnessing Magical Coral Spawning
- Benji witnessed coral spawning at night where coral released egg and sperm bundles, a rare and magical event.
- This spawning represented hope for new, potentially heat-resistant coral generations despite reef damage.