Summary:
- Two species of coral found in Florida's waters, the mountainous star coral and the rough cactus coral, have been declared "functionally extinct" after a severe heatwave in 2023.
- Functionally extinct means that the populations of these corals have declined to the point where they can no longer play their essential role in the ecosystem, even though a few individuals may still exist.
- The heatwave, caused by climate change, caused widespread bleaching and death of these corals, which are important for maintaining the health and biodiversity of Florida's coral reef ecosystems.