Elkhorn coral is an important reef building coral that was once abundant throughout the Caribbean and Florida. It forms dense thickets in areas of heavy surf, particularly outer reef slopes exposed to high energy waves, typically at depths of less than 10m, and its colonies are fast growing and structurally complex. These elegant, orange-hinged gardens provide habitat for a variety of important commercial reef fish and invertebrates while protecting coastal areas from storms.
A regional collapse of Elkhorn coral due to white band disease greatly reduced its abundance throughout its entire range in the 1980s but other threats such as bleaching, storms and other diseases have reduced current populations to persist to very low abundances. In some areas reductions of 90-95% since 1980 are common.The substantial habitat loss suffered by this species has hampered restoration efforts given that the success of coral restoration depends on whether the spawn of restored corals can interbreed with larger native populations.
Understanding the habitat distribution of this species is a critical first step for saving this species. Identifying existing populations will aid to prevent the destruction of the limited areas where this species occurs and advocate for new protected areas where the species is thriving or recovering.
A regional collapse of Elkhorn coral due to white band disease greatly reduced its abundance throughout its entire range in the 1980s but other threats such as bleaching, storms and other diseases have reduced current populations to persist to very low abundances. In some areas reductions of 90-95% since 1980 are common.The substantial habitat loss suffered by this species has hampered restoration efforts given that the success of coral restoration depends on whether the spawn of restored corals can interbreed with larger native populations.
Understanding the habitat distribution of this species is a critical first step for saving this species. Identifying existing populations will aid to prevent the destruction of the limited areas where this species occurs and advocate for new protected areas where the species is thriving or recovering.
Elkhorn off the southern coast of Cuba's Isle of Youth.
CariMar has a program to quantify Elkhorn coral abundance and health in Cuba, starting with two of its largest and healthiest reef chains on its southern coast: the Jardines de la Reina archipelago and the Los Canarreos archipelago. Both have existing marine protected areas that could be expanded to include newly identified Elkhorn coral habitat.
CariMar will conduct a survey of endangered Elkhorn coral population in Cuba. Understanding the location and abundance of Elkhorn thickets will provide a more complete picture of the favorable conditions for Elkhorn coral survival and reproduction thereby improving the effectiveness of restoration efforts to rebuild populations and guiding spatial protections of this critically endangered species.
CariMar will conduct a survey of endangered Elkhorn coral population in Cuba. Understanding the location and abundance of Elkhorn thickets will provide a more complete picture of the favorable conditions for Elkhorn coral survival and reproduction thereby improving the effectiveness of restoration efforts to rebuild populations and guiding spatial protections of this critically endangered species.
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