Coral Reefs’ Sea Defense Value. The coastal protection coral reefs currently provide will start eroding by the end of the century, as the world continues to warm and the oceans acidify. Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion, provide jobs for local communities, and offer opportunities for recreation. However, direct knowledge on how coral reefs prevent coastal impacts such as erosion and flooding is scarcer. Nearly 200 million people depend on coral reefs to protect them from storm surges and waves. Here, we investigate the individual and combined coastal protection services supplied by live corals on reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests during … Coral reefs, such as this one in Micronesia, dissipate wave energy and can protect shorelines from storm damage. This vegetation can help dampen wave energy and thus, protect coastal communities. They are also are a source of food and new medicines. The resulting map clearly shows that many coral reefs—being far from people—are of zero value in coastal defense. (Photo courtesy of TNC) Extensive coastal development, as seen here in Waikiki (Honolulu, Hawaii), means that nearly 200 million people worldwide live in coastal areas that may be protected by coral reefs. Artificial reefs can help to prevent coastal erosion by either forcing waves to break further away from the beach or to hold sediment on the shallow areas (1). Coral reefs can naturally protect coasts from tropical cyclones by reducing the impact of large waves before they reach the shore, according to scientists. Reefs also protect communities against the devastating impacts of climate change, including coastal erosion, flooding and life-threatening hurricanes. Coral reefs can naturally protect coasts from tropical cyclones by reducing the impact of large waves before they reach the shore, according to scientists. These plants also help the marsh accrete, or grow and rise, by trapping sediment, thereby helping our coasts adapt to sea level rise. Coral reefs slow down the flow of water. Without coral reefs, many beaches and buildings would become vulnerable to wave action and storm damage. Coral reefs protect coasts from strong currents and waves. And interestingly coral reefs are most likely to have formed where an oceans’ currents and waves are the most powerful. The findings could help focus coral conservation efforts to … This paper investigates a possible direct link between reef condition and coastal protection. Healthy reefs act as natural barriers, protecting coastal cities, communities, and beaches from pounding ocean waves. Only a few direct studies draw causality between coral reefs and shoreline stability (Frihy et al., 2004, Ruiz de Alegria-Arzaburu et al., 2013). Surfing Artificial reefs built to break the waves at a certain point allow more days when surfing is … Natural habitats have the ability to protect coastal communities against the impacts of waves and storms, yet it is unclear how different habitats complement each other to reduce those impacts. In a first rapid assessment to show the relative value of reefs as sea defenses worldwide, we first mapped the areas threatened either by erosion and/or inundation. Benefits of coral reef ecosystems. By breaking up waves, coral reefs protect an estimated 200 million people from natural disasters and rising sea levels. Reefs in places such as the Florida Keys help prevent beach erosion. Tropical cyclones wreak havoc on coastal infrastructure, marine habitats and coastal populations across the world. Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income, and protection. The findings could help focus coral conservation efforts to … coral reefs coasts. 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