Coral Reef Restoration Can Help Prevent Flood-Driven Pollution Along Florida’s Coast
While coral reefs are well known for their ability to buffer coastal communities from storm-driven waves, this study is the first to assess how restoring reefs could lower the risk of flood-related pollution along Florida’s extensive 460-kilometer coral reef-fringed coastline. By mitigating wave-driven flooding, coral reef restoration could significantly reduce the likelihood of contamination from key infrastructure such as petroleum storage tank systems, onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, and wastewater treatment plants. Reducing the risk of pollution translates into major environmental and economic benefits. The study estimates that the present value of infrastructure protection and pollution prevention provided by
Cost-benefit study confirms coral reef restoration could be a cost-effective way to save lives and money
Researchers developed a modeling system to quantify the value coral reef restoration could provide to 1,000 kilometers, or 621 miles, of coastline in Florida and Puerto Rico. The research compared how much flooding storms could cause with and without coral reef restoration at a 10 square meter, or 108 square feet, resolution. Researchers then determined how many people and how much property and economic activity reef restoration could protect by preventing coastal flooding. "Coral reefs are natural coastal barriers that can substantially reduce coastal flooding and erosion,” said Curt Storlazzi, lead author and research geologist from the U.S. Geological Survey.
En un estudio de costo-beneficio se confirma que la restauración de los arrecifes de coral podría ser una forma rentable de salvar vidas y ahorrar dinero
Los investigadores diseñaron un sistema de modelización para cuantificar el valor que la restauración de los arrecifes de coral podría aportar a 1000 kilómetros, o 621 millas, de costas en Florida y Puerto Rico. La investigación comparó la cantidad de inundaciones que podrían causar las tormentas con y sin la restauración de los arrecifes de coral a una resolución de 10 metros cuadrados, o 108 pies cuadrados. Luego, los investigadores determinaron cuántas personas, propiedades y actividades económicas podría proteger la restauración de los arrecifes al evitar las inundaciones costeras. “Los arrecifes de coral son barreras costeras naturales que pueden reducir