NEW Publication: Octocoral Dynamics Over a Decade on Florida’s Coral Reef

November 6, 2025

Dr. Ronen Liberman

Octocoral Dynamics Over a Decade on Florida’s Coral Reef

Florida's coral reefs are changing. While the hard, stony corals that build reef structures have been declining, soft corals called octocorals—including the colorful sea fans, sea whips, and sea rods—are becoming increasingly dominant across Florida's reefs.

A team of researchers from NSU and FWC tracked these octocoral populations at 45 reef sites across Florida from 2013 to 2023, documenting how they responded to major hurricanes and marine heatwaves. They’ve found a remarkable story of both resilience and vulnerability.

The good news: octocorals showed an impressive ability to bounce back from Hurricane Irma in 2017. Within just one to two years, their populations recovered through massive recruitment of baby octocorals. Overall, we found 33.7% more octocoral colonies by 2023 compared to 2013.

The concerning news: while octocorals handle physical damage from hurricanes well, the record-breaking 2023 marine heatwave caused concerning levels of mortality. With ocean temperatures rising and marine heatwaves becoming more frequent and severe, we're uncertain whether these typically resilient organisms can continue to recover.

This study represents the most comprehensive assessment of octocoral populations across Florida's Coral Reef to date. Understanding which reef organisms can survive, and which cannot, under increasing climate stress is critical for protecting Florida's Coral Reef ecosystems and the coastal communities that depend on them.

Photo Credit: Ronen Liberman