Where is the only coral reef in the continental US?

Where is the only coral reef in the continental US?

Florida
Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection Quick Links Florida is the only state in the continental United States with extensive shallow coral reef formations near its coasts. Coral reefs create specialized habitats that provide shelter, food, and breeding sites for numerous plants and animals.

Where is the coral reef located?

Most reefs are located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, in the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf. Corals are also found farther from the equator in places where warm currents flow out of the tropics, such as in Florida and southern Japan.

What states are coral reefs found?

In the United States, coral reefs can be found around the Florida Keys, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other Pacific US territories. The reefs are economically important tourist attractions; they also protect against coastline erosion and provide sand for beaches.

What state boasts the only coral reef in continental North America?

Dive in and explore Florida’s Coral Reef in 360° It’s the only barrier coral reef system in the continental United States and is home to over forty species of reef-building corals that provide shelter, food and breeding sites for millions of plants and animals.

Which is the only living coral reef in the United States?

The Florida Reef (also known as the Great Florida Reef, Florida reefs, Florida Reef Tract and Florida Keys Reef Tract) is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. It is the third largest coral barrier reef system in the world (after the Great Barrier Reef and Belize Barrier Reef ).

How many species of coral live in Florida?

Almost 1,400 species of marine plants and animals, including more than 40 species of stony corals and 500 species of fish, live on the Florida Reef. The Florida Reef lies close to the northern limit for tropical corals, but the species diversity on the reef is comparable to that of reef systems in the Caribbean Sea.

Where are the coral reefs in the Florida Keys?

The rest of the reef outside Biscayne National Park lies within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Isolated coral patch reefs occur northward from Biscayne National Park as far north as Stuart, in Martin County.

What can you do with the coral reef in Florida?

Florida’s Coral Reef offers numerous awe-inspiring opportunities for responsible diving, boating and fishing. Florida’s Coral Reef and surrounding waters are a breathtaking recreational destination that drive the economy of south Florida.