Scientists Warn of Threat to Coral Reefs

[Judi Lynn]

Scientists Warn of Threat to Coral Reefs

By MAT PROBASCO
Associated Press Writer

April 22, 2006, 4:01 PM EDT


CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands -- Warmer sea temperatures could worsen the widespread destruction of coral reefs that hit the Caribbean in 2005, scientists fear.

In the waters around the U.S. Virgin Islands, as much as 40 percent of coral died in some reefs last year, and the coral that survived probably isn't healthy enough to survive another hot summer, said Caroline Rogers, a U.S. Geological Survey biologist.
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Reefs are vital habitat for fish, lobsters and other sea life that feed and breed in the sheltered waters. The reefs also deflect storm waves that might otherwise wash away the beaches that are at the heart of the region's multibillion-dollar tourism industry.
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"People just don't know that much about coral because it's underwater. If 40 percent of the trees in one of our national parks died, people would take notice," Rogers said.
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http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-caribbean-coral-devastation,0,6624215.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines