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Coral Reefs

We assess flood risk, the role of reefs in reducing risk, and solutions to jointly meet reef conservation, hazard mitigation and adaptation goals.

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What value do reefs provide in coastal protection?

Scroll to learn more about how healthy coral reefs can help prevent coastal flooding.

Coral reefs reduce wave energy and height.

A healthy reef absorbs 97% of wave power.

Reefs can become degraded by natural and anthropogenic stressors.

A healthy reef is better at protecting the shoreline from waves.

A 1m decrease in reef height causes a four-fold increase in wave power affecting the shoreline.

Wave power increases exponentially with increasing wave height.

Increased wave power doubles flooding risk.

Reefs can protect capital and save billions of dollars.

Globally, 1m loss of reef height doubles the cost of flooding.

Reefs around the world are critical to coastal protection.

These critical ecosystems are under threat from climate change.

In addition, global wave power is increasing over time.

We can restore these natural protections to save property and lives.

SciComm Multimedia

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