Coral Diseases Following Massive Bleaching in 2005 Cause 60 Percent Decline in Coral Cover and Mortality of the Threatened Species, Acropora Palmata, on Reefs in the U.S. Virgin Islands

July 8, 2008

Record-high seawater temperatures and calm seas in the summer of 2005 led to the most severe coral bleaching (greater than 90 percent bleached coral cover) ever observed in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) (figs. 1 and 2). All but a few coral species bleached, including the threatened species, Acropora palmata. Bleaching was seen from the surface to depths over 20 meters.

Publication Year	2008
Title	Coral Diseases Following Massive Bleaching in 2005 Cause 60 Percent Decline in Coral Cover and Mortality of the Threatened Species, Acropora Palmata, on Reefs in the U.S. Virgin Islands
DOI	10.3133/fs20083058
Authors	Caroline S. Rogers
Publication Type	Report
Publication Subtype	USGS Numbered Series
Series Title	Fact Sheet
Series Number	2008-3058
Index ID	fs20083058
Record Source	USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization	Caribbean Field Station; Florida Integrated Science Center

Coral Diseases Following Massive Bleaching in 2005 Cause 60 Percent Decline in Coral Cover and Mortality of the Threatened Species, Acropora Palmata, on Reefs in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Scientist Emeritus

Scientist Emeritus

Ecosystems Mission Area Headquarters

U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Department of the Interior

Coral Diseases Following Massive Bleaching in 2005 Cause 60 Percent Decline in Coral Cover and Mortality of the Threatened Species, Acropora Palmata, on Reefs in the U.S. Virgin Islands

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Caroline Rogers, Ph.D.

Scientist Emeritus

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Caroline Rogers, Ph.D.

Scientist Emeritus