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Coral reefs serve as an essential natural barrier against waves, storms, and floods, helping to prevent loss of life, property damage, and erosion. Reef structures buffer shorelines and can significantly reduce wave energy, protecting coastal ecosystems and communities. The protection provided by coral reefs is increasingly important as climate change increases the intensity of storms. Without coral reefs, the annual damages from coastal flooding is estimated to double, and storm costs triple worldwide. In the U.S., coral reefs prevent coastal flood damages of approximately $1.8 billion annually. Photo credit: FEMA
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