Photo of coral reef scene.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Science

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary managers use sound science and the best technologies available to help them protect sanctuary resources. Long-term research studies help identify changes in habitats and marine life, as well as the role humans play in those environmental changes. Sanctuary managers use this information to design programs and strategies to aid in conservation and restoration of sanctuary habitats.

To learn more about Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary science, visit the links below.



coral scene

Publications
These publications provide information on the health of the Florida Keys ecosystem and management strategies to conserve it. More

coral and fish

Research and Monitoring
Scientists from the sanctuary and partner organizations research the health of the sanctuary and through long-term monitoring programs, seek to identify the causes of changes to habitat health and effects of those changes. More

diver

Resource Protection
Sanctuary managers use current scientific and socioeconomic data to design projects and programs to identify and reduce pressures to the sanctuary's habitats and marine life. More

 

 

grounded vessel

Injury Assessment
When a vessel strikes and injures coral reef or seagrass, a specialized team of sanctuary biologists performs an assessment on the area, and when possible, tries to restore the injury. More

diver doing research

Science Summaries
Looking for an easy-to-understand snapshot of sanctuary science? These informative two-page summaries provide a great introduction to long-term research projects in the sanctuary and give an overview of threats to the marine environment. More

divers conducting research

Habitat Restoration
When habitat like coral or seagrass is damaged by a vessel or other human-induced event, the sanctuary's goal is to restore that area to the condition it was before it was injured. More