In a first, sea-level rise drove a cactus to extinction in U.S. The Key Largo tree cactus is first plant of its kind to go extinct in the United States from sea-level rise, scientists say.

@[email protected] · 2 months ago

In a first, sea-level rise drove a cactus to extinction in U.S. The Key Largo tree cactus is first plant of its kind to go extinct in the United States from sea-level rise, scientists say.

DominusOfMegadeus · edit-2 2 months ago

The tree cactus persists elsewhere in the Caribbean, including parts of Cuba and the Bahamas. But the stand lost on Key Largo to saltwater intrusion from rising seas and soil depletion from high tides and hurricanes was the only one known in the United States. This coastal plant with the snowy fur is Florida’s latest victim of sea-level rise, fueled by the melting of glacial ice thousands of miles away

With little hope of recovery, the team dug up the last six individuals to bring into human care. Today, about 60 Key Largo tree cactuses are cultivated at two nurseries in Florida while more than 1,000 seeds are kept in storage at Fairchild and at an Agriculture Department seed bank in Colorado.