2025-2026 FCR Coral Restoration DSS support and KJCAP Reef-building-coral Disease Interventions
Coral diseases have caused enormous impacts to coral populations globally perpetuating the rapid need for large-scale coral reef restoration. Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) exemplifies that coral diseases are more devastating than ever before. However, implementing recent disease intervention techniques from the restoration toolbox reduces the necessity for costly and time-consuming post hoc restoration techniques.
Our work shows that SCTLD is still prevalent in the region, interventions are still needed, and these efforts are saving corals, preempting post hoc restoration. This year, interventions helped maintain species diversity and ecosystem services within the Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve (KJCAP) and kept alive some of the largest and oldest animals in Florida. Monthly monitoring and treatments have reduced the loss of live tissue area allowing these corals to maintain their reproductive capacity. They have also provided valuable information on the temporal and spatial epidemiological patterns of disease. The monthly large coral monitoring data have been invaluable in linking environmental drivers to disease dynamics. Higher water temperatures, amounts of water following out of the inlets, and rainfall account for 66.2% of the temporal variability in the number of diseased colonies. Understanding these dynamics helps with water management strategies.
The FCR Decision Support System (DSS) is functional and being used by many stakeholders. Over the last six months of use as of May 19, 2026, the site received 1,100 visitors, 46 forum posts, 310 sketches, and 206 downloads. The number of visitors has increased substantially since January as well as the frequency of visits. Through separately funded efforts, the DSS was used to assist site selection of coral restoration conducted for the NOAA-funded Florida Resilient Reef Research, Rescue and Restoration (RE5) Hub. We continue to work with all partners to incorporate the latest datasets and stakeholder needs.