Although the United States’ coral reefs are in “fair” but vulnerable and declining conditions, according to a status report for U.S. coral reefs, nearly 90 percent of Florida Keys’ original reefs have died over the past 40 years.

Coral reefs in Florida protect shorelines by absorbing 97 percent of wave energy from storms and hurricanes, and are linked to 70,400 jobs, generating $2 billion in local income.

Factors threatening Florida’s coral reefs include climate change, rapid development, overfishing and disease.

The increase in coastal development to meet the demands of South Florida’s growing community can be damaging for coral reefs — when mangroves are removed for development, shorelines are more prone to erosion, reefs can be more easily polluted.

When rapid development correlates with deforestation and rising greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, gases enter air and water circulation, making it harder for corals to survive due to warmer and more acidic oceans.

#ClimateChange is the leading cause of coral bleaching, which is the complete whitening of corals when their vibrant colors fade from expelling the Zooxanthellae in their tissue due to stress in the ocean environment like low tides, changes in temperature, light and nutrients.

“Mitigating climate change is the only long-term, sustainable solution to conserve and restore coral reefs,” National Geographic reports.

For over five years, Florida’s reefs have been impacted by a widespread outbreak of the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, which can lead to the death of susceptible coral colonies and now spans most of the state’s reef system.

In efforts to restore corals, scientists in Florida have used interventions like microfragmentation, for faster colony reproduction.

Recommended actions on the individual level to protect coral reefs include helping protect mangroves and wetlands from construction activities; planting native vegetation to keep sediment and pollutants away from reefs; reducing one’s carbon footprint and energy use; responsible use of fishing nets and gear as they can damage reef structures.

However, without a combination of long-term cuts in emissions and short term innovations, most of the world’s reef systems could be dead by 2050.