First local extinction in the U.S. due to sea level rise
The Key Largo tree cactus, unique in the U.S., has become extinct due to sea level rise and storms. Efforts are made to conserve related species facing similar threats in South Florida.
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The Key Largo tree cactus, the only stand of its kind in the U.S., has gone extinct due to rising sea levels and intense storms. Initially discovered in 1992 in the Florida Keys, the population dwindled from about 150 stems to just six by 2021. Researchers salvaged these remaining fragments for off-site cultivation to ensure their survival. The decline of the Key Largo tree cactus serves as a warning for other coastal plants facing climate change impacts. The related Key tree cactus, federally endangered since 1984, has also suffered a significant decrease in numbers. Efforts to conserve these species include monitoring, conservation collections, and reintroduction programs. The study highlights the broader issue of biodiversity loss in South Florida, with many native plant species facing extinction due to various environmental pressures. The research was published in the Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas and was funded in part by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
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