[Note: undated footage]

A recent video released captures the remarkable sight of the Late Holocene coral death assemblage thriving in Pompano Ridge, Southeast Florida. Amidst the ongoing crisis facing coral reefs globally due to rising temperatures and disease outbreaks, this unique discovery sheds light on the potential fate of coral reef communities in the face of climate change.

The footage showcases the diverse soft corals now inhabiting the once-vibrant coral reef, offering a glimpse into the past and raising questions about the future. The research, conducted by Florida Atlantic University researchers and collaborators, explores the geological history of this ancient coral reef and compares it to modern reefs in the region.

The Late Holocene coral death assemblage, also known as "Pompano Ridge," provides insights into coral range expansions that occurred over 2,000 years ago during a period of regional climate warming. This geological record offers valuable information about coral reef dynamics and their response to environmental changes over millennia.

However, findings from the study, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, suggest significant differences between Late Holocene and modern coral assemblages. While the ancient reefs were dominated by now-critically endangered Acropora species, modern reefs are increasingly populated by stress-tolerant species like Porites astreoides and Siderastrea siderea.

Despite the potential for Southeast Florida to serve as a refuge for corals impacted by climate warming, researchers caution that natural range expansions observed in the past are unlikely to occur today without human intervention. The decline of southern source populations and additional anthropogenic stressors pose significant challenges to the natural resilience of coral communities.