Each year, under the soft glow of the August full moon, a quiet miracle unfolds beneath the waters of the Florida Keys. Coral reefs—often called the “rainforests of the sea”—release millions of tiny bundles of life into the water, synchronizing ... READ MORE
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I have written a lot about extreme heat events, and in the past two years the summer temperatures generated plenty of discussion, both locally and around the world. However, south Florida started off 2025 with a delightful cold front, waking ... READ MORE
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Coral reefs serve as habitats for fish, increase tourism activities and reduce wave energy – among their many benefits. That’s why scientists with the University of Florida and The Florida Aquarium’s Coral Conservation and Research ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine
What has happened: There have been new developments with the Xeniid soft coral invasion in the Caribbean. The inspiration for my February 2023 original blog post was the confirmation of Unomia stolonifera in northern Cuba, which is quite ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
The Florida Keys, with their turquoise waters, vibrant marine life, and stunning coral reefs, have long been a haven for boaters and sailors. This unique and fragile ecosystem holds a treasure trove of natural beauty and wonders. However, ... READ MORE
Category: , Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Scientists call long-spined sea urchins “the lawn mowers of the reefs” because they eat algae that could otherwise smother reef ecosystems and kill corals. That’s why researchers affiliated with the University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture ... READ MORE
Category: UF/IFAS
Highlights The long-spined sea urchin is an important species that helps keep coral reefs healthy. When long-spined sea urchins in the Caribbean began to die in large numbers in early 2022, scientists jumped in and discovered that a ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, WildlifeOn and off over the past four decades, scientists have tried a handful of times to restore sea urchins on coral reefs because they eat harmful algae that otherwise smother the ecosystems. Results of a new collaborative study show promise ... READ MORE
Category: UF/IFAS
Coral reef ecosystems are severely threatened by pollution, disease, overharvesting and other factors. For thousands of years, long-spined sea urchins helped keep reefs intact. They eat seaweed, which can kill or seriously damage coral. Without ... READ MORE
Category: UF/IFAS
In January 2019, a student at College of the Florida Keys was the first to report and photograph the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease off Key West, Florida at the Eastern Dry Rocks. He was able to identify the disease because he was ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension