Presenter: Curt D. Storlazzi (U.S. Geological Survey)

Description:
Coral reefs are effective natural coastal flood barriers that protect adjacent coastal communities. However, coral degradation compromises the coastal protection value of reefs and also reduces their other ecosystem services. Reef restoration is currently being considered as a tool to counteract this loss of flood protection. Here we provide a rigorous socioeconomic valuation of where potential coral reef restoration could decrease the flood hazard risk in Florida’s and Puerto Rico’s reef-fronted coastal communities impacted by Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017. The potential flood hazard mitigation benefits from restoration are substantial. Coral reef restoration off Florida and Puerto Rico could annually (1) protect more than 3000 people from flooding, (2) save more than $120 million in direct damages to buildings, and (3) avoid $140 million in disruption of economic activity, resulting in a total annual protection value of $270 million. Our spatially explicit analyses also identify where restoration efforts can yield the greatest benefits – generally in shallower water depths, closer to shorelines in populated areas. The flood risk-based quantification of coral reef restoration efforts enables access to hazard risk reduction funding, such as pre-disaster mitigation or post-disaster restoration funds, for conservation purposes. The ultimate goal is reduce the risk to, and increase the resiliency of, coastal communities.