Acropora spp.: Water Quantity, Water Quality, and Threatened Florida Corals

Abstract:     
On May 9, 2006, NOAA listed two species of coral - elkhorn coral and staghorn coral - as threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The presence of these two species in the Florida Keys brings into sharp relief the intertwined relationship of water quantity and water quality in southern Florida and may require changes to the ongoing efforts to restore the Florida Everglades, especially in light of the fact that Everglades water quality restoration efforts address phosphorus pollution rather than nitrogen pollution, which is more important to the corals off southern Florida.

This short article reviews the 2006 coral listing and its import for southern Florida's dual ecosystem management.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 5

Keywords: endangered species, threatened species, coral, Florida Keys, Everglades, water quality, water quantity, water flow, ecosystem management, ecosystem restoration, Endangered Species Act, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, CERP

Accepted Paper Series