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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
NSU Researcher Leads Study of Threatened Coral Reefs
Mapping Discovered New Coral Reef Patches Previously Unknown to Exist
FORT LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Center has a long-standing tradition of researching and advocating for the protection of our coral reefs. To that end, NSU researcher Brian Walker, Ph.D., led a recent study that mapped nearly 40 acres of local coral reefs.
The study, which was contracted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP,) mapped staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis.) Staghorn is one of two corals presently listed as threatened under the United States Endangered Species Act. Of the 35 large and dense patches found, only seven were previously documented. Although the age, detailed boundaries and health have not yet been studied, the report states staghorn corals covered nearly 100 percent of the seafloor in some areas. This is particularly astounding, as reef building, or stony coral usually only account for 3-5 percent of the community on southeast Florida reefs.
Read the Sun-Sentinel story HERE
Read the L.A. Times story HERE