Today, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released the findings of a new, in-depth study titled “Rigorously Valuing the Role of U.S. Coral Reefs in Coastal Hazard Risk Reduction.”
Today, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released the findings of a new, in-depth study titled “Rigorously Valuing the Role of U.S. Coral Reefs in Coastal Hazard Risk Reduction,” – funded in part by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Office of Insular Affairs – demonstrating annual benefits of coral reefs including a flood-protection barrier for more than 18,000 coastal citizens and $1.8 billion worth of coastal infrastructure in the United States and its trust territories. The study will help managers take effective actions to reduce the risk to, and increase the resiliency of, U.S. mainland and U.S. insular area coastal communities to flooding and other hazards.
“Our Office was glad to collaborate with the USGS and leverage funds available through the Coral Reef and Natural Resources Initiative,” said DOI Insular and International Affairs Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech. “This highlights the important role that coral reefs play not only for coastal communities in the U.S. mainland, but also in the U.S. insular areas. These research results will be of great interest to the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, a body tasked to lead U.S. efforts on coral reef ecosystems and that the Interior and the Department of Commerce chair jointly.”
“As this study shows, USGS science can help save lives, minimize property damage and reduce risks from natural hazards,” said USGS Director James Reilly. “Information at this fine resolution is critical to coastal managers and planners working on flood mitigation, coastal defense, transportation and hurricane response and recovery from the local to national scales.”
Continue reading at USGS.
Image via USGS.