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St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center images.

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On the base of an ocean dune below vegetation, riprap rocks that were placed as a seawall are slightly exposed.
Slightly exposed riprap seawall after dune erosion
Slightly exposed riprap seawall after dune erosion
Slightly exposed riprap seawall after dune erosion

Slightly exposed rip-rap seawall at the base of the dune (the "dune toe") after dune erosion. Small seawalls are created using large rocks (rip-rap) at the dune toe to fortify the dune, reduce dune erosion from elevated water levels and storms, and help to protect property.

Slightly exposed rip-rap seawall at the base of the dune (the "dune toe") after dune erosion. Small seawalls are created using large rocks (rip-rap) at the dune toe to fortify the dune, reduce dune erosion from elevated water levels and storms, and help to protect property.

Photo of bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea, Florida Keys.
Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea
Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea
Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea

Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Photo of bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii, Florida Keys.
Bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii
Bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii
Bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii

Bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Photo of bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa
Bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa
Bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa
Bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa

Bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Photo of bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, with polyps extended, Florida Keys.
Bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa
Bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa
Bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa

Bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, with polyps extended, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, with polyps extended, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Photo of bleaching colony of blushing star coral, Stephanocoenia intersepta/michelinii.
Bleaching colony of blushing star coral, Stephanocoenia intersepta
Bleaching colony of blushing star coral, Stephanocoenia intersepta
Bleaching colony of blushing star coral, Stephanocoenia intersepta

Bleaching colony of blushing star coral, Stephanocoenia intersepta/michelinii. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of blushing star coral, Stephanocoenia intersepta/michelinii. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Photo of bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea, Florida Keys.
Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea
Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea
Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea

Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of massive starlet coral, Siderastrea siderea, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Photo of bleaching colony of lobed star coral, Montastraea annularis
Bleaching colony of lobed star coral, Montastraea annularis
Bleaching colony of lobed star coral, Montastraea annularis
Bleaching colony of lobed star coral, Montastraea annularis

Bleaching colony of lobed star coral, Montastraea annularis, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of lobed star coral, Montastraea annularis, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

bleaching colony of star coral
Bleaching colonies of mountainous star coral, Montastraea faveolata
Bleaching colonies of mountainous star coral, Montastraea faveolata
Bleaching colonies of mountainous star coral, Montastraea faveolata

Bleaching colonies of mountainous star coral, Montastraea faveolata, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colonies of mountainous star coral, Montastraea faveolata, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Photo of bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa
Bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa
Bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa
Bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa

Bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Photo of bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa
Bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa
Bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa
Bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa

Bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Photo of bleaching colonies of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides, Florida Keys.
Bleaching colonies of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides
Bleaching colonies of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides
Bleaching colonies of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides

Bleaching colonies of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides, both green and brown color morphs, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colonies of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides, both green and brown color morphs, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Photo of bleaching colony of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides, Florida Keys.
Bleaching colony of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides
Bleaching colony of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides
Bleaching colony of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides

Bleaching colony of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of mustard hill coral, Porites astreoides, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Photo of bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii
Bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii
Bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii
Bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii

Bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

Bleaching colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii, Florida Keys. When corals are stressed, the symbiosis between the coral animal and its photosynthetic algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) breaks down and the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral tissue.

colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, affected by black-band disease
Brain coral with black-band disease
Brain coral with black-band disease
Brain coral with black-band disease

A colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

A colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

Star coral, Montastraea faveolata, affected by black-band disease
Star coral, Montastraea faveolata, affected by black-band disease
Star coral, Montastraea faveolata, affected by black-band disease
Star coral, Montastraea faveolata, affected by black-band disease

A colony of mountainous star coral, Montastraea faveolata, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

Colony brain coral, Diploria clivosa, affected by black-band disease
Colony brain coral, Diploria clivosa, affected by black-band disease
Colony brain coral, Diploria clivosa, affected by black-band disease
star coral with black-band disease
Star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii, affected by black-band disease
Star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii, affected by black-band disease
Star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii, affected by black-band disease

A colony of elliptical star coral, Dichocoenia stokesii, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.

Close-up of the interface between bleached polyps of the great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, and black-band disease
Star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, and black-band disease
Star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, and black-band disease
Star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, and black-band disease

Close-up of the interface between bleached polyps of the great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, and black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys. The dead coral skeleton behind the black band has become overgrown with green algae.

 

Close-up of the interface between bleached polyps of the great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, and black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys. The dead coral skeleton behind the black band has become overgrown with green algae.

 

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