First U.S. Plant Extinction Attributed to Sea Level Rise

Key Largo tree cactus succumbs to rising tides, highlighting threats to coastal biodiversity.

Researchers confirm the Key Largo tree cactus is the first U.S. plant extinction due to sea level rise.
The cactus, discovered in 1992, faced pressures from saltwater intrusion, hurricanes, and herbivores.
By 2021, only six stems remained, prompting efforts to salvage and cultivate the species off-site.
The cactus still exists in parts of the Caribbean but is no longer found in its native U.S. habitat.
This extinction signals potential future threats to other coastal plants as climate change progresses.