Florida Scientists Shield 10 Coral Colonies With 20 Underwater Umbrellas as Heatwaves Intensify
Updated
Updated · BBC Discover Wildlife · Oct 2
Florida Scientists Shield 10 Coral Colonies With 20 Underwater Umbrellas as Heatwaves Intensify
3 articles · Updated · BBC Discover Wildlife · Oct 2
Summary
Twenty custom-made shades placed over 10 brain coral colonies in the Florida Keys helped the corals regain some color and bleach less during 2024's second-highest heat stress on record.
Researchers installed the underwater umbrellas after a 2023 bleaching event devastated Florida corals, aiming to test a tool that could protect targeted colonies in future marine heatwaves.
The shades cut incoming light by about 60%, limiting UV damage even though they did not cool the water; scientists tracked the shaded corals and 20 controls every two weeks.
Neither shaded nor control corals died during the trial, but the study says shading is only a temporary, small-scale option and would force choices about which corals to save.
Karen Neely said worsening ocean warming could eventually overwhelm any shading benefit, leaving climate action essential if reefs are to survive long term.