Coral reefs can absorb and weaken damaging waves so that when hitting shores, they’re smaller and cause less flooding and erosion. Restoring degraded or destroyed coral reefs could protect nearly 3,000 people each year in Florida and Puerto Rico alone. It could also prevent more than $391 million in damage to property and lost economic activity annually. It would most benefit children, elderly, minorities, and those living below the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty threshold.
www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/cost-benefit-study-confirms-coral-reef-restoration-could-be-a-cost