Coral Reefs

Florida is home to the only living coral reef in North America. Coral reefs are one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems in the world, providing habitat and food for a staggering variety of marine organisms. Reefs also serve as a buffer for the mainland, protecting the shoreline from erosion and storm surges.

Coral reefs are made up of many different species of coral. These corals may look and act like plants, but they are actually a type of colonial animal. Each individual coral animal is called a polyp. Reef-building (or hermatypic) coral polyps require a very specific environment for survival. Coral reefs exist only in high salinity, low turbidity, warm, tropical waters.

Most reef-building corals are found in waters with a depth less than 25 meters. South Florida is the only region in North America that embodies these specific requirements. Miami-Dade County's reef tract stretches the full length of the county, from Miami Beach to the southern limits of Biscayne National Park.

Become a coral champion

Whether you are a boater, diver, fishing enthusiast or nature lover, there are everyday on and off the water practices you can follow to protect our reefs from further damage.

• Help protect coral reefs
• View the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Coral Disease Intervention Dashboard
• See Nova Southeastern University's Coral Reefs Story Map
• Access Nova Southeastern University's Citizen Science Photo Submission Form