Stony coral tissue loss diseas (SCTLD) - novel threats to coral reefs
2021
In 2014, a new threat to the integrity of coral reefs emerged in Florida and was termed stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD). SCTLD affects more than 30 coral species, and colonies of highly susceptible species can die within weeks. Given the large number of species affected, the rapid spread of the disease across reefs and regions, and the temporal persistence of the disease (6 years and still going), this disease outbreak is the most lethal disturbance ever recorded in the Caribbean1,2,3. The rapid spread of SCTLD across the Caribbean has reef scientists, managers, and the general population highly concerned. Reports have now registered for the western Caribbean, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the Lesser and Greater Antilles (https://www.agrra.org/coral-disease-outbreak/). Population losses range from > 90% on highly susceptible species to <10% in less affected species1,2,3. Stony coral diversity, density, and amount of live tissue correspond with differential SCTLD susceptibility and have resulted in significant changes in the structure and composition of coral communities, further impairing the integrity of coral reefs across the entire geography of the regions that have been impacted.
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
Acceso abierto
25
2021-07-13
Miller M, Álvarez-Filip L, Rodríguez-Martínez R, Koss J,
CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA Y EL COSMOS
OTRAS ESPECIALIDADES EN MATERIA DE CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA DEL COSMOS Y DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE
Sistema Estatal de Información y Documentación Científica y Tecnológica
2