Florida Keys Coral Reef Field Trip
Key Largo White Bank Coral Reef
Field Trip #4
Andrea Weingarth
EVR3013L
FLORIDA KEYS CORAL REEFS 2
White Bank Reef
On February 26 it was sunny and 81 degrees out, I met up with some class
mates and carpooled to meet the rest of the class at the marina and docks. We met up
in the Florida Keys and the spot we launched from was past John Penney Camp. After
loading onto the charter boat we set sail for White Bank Reef located about 8 Miles out
east from the Keys. The water was nice and clear and we saw many different types of
fish and corals so that was very exciting! It was also my first time scuba diving so I had
a blast.
There are five different types of coral reefs but the one we visited was called a
bank reef which is a Marine ecosystem characterized by groove type formations and
can get very deep. The other type of reef you can find in the keys is called a patch reef.
The reefs are very important because they carry up to over 50% of productive marine
biodiversity, and provide a protective barrier to the shorelines. Reefs are very sensitive
and particular to their surroundings so any change in things like the temperature of
water can greatly alter the reefs and result in bleaching. Some other threats to reefs are
