Dry Tortugas best for coral restoration due to oceanography

The iconic and threatened Caribbean coral, Acropora palmata, is an essential reef-ecosystem engineer that is on the verge of extinction in Florida. Our results suggest that the unique oceanographic conditions in the Dry Tortugas provide corals with greater opportunity for feeding that in turn enhances coral growth and survivorship, and positively influences the coral microbiome. Our findings indicate that restoration efforts in the Dry Tortugas could be most effective for A. palmata.