The coral reef structure buffers shorelines against waves, storms and floods, helping to prevent loss of life, property damage and erosion. When reefs are damaged or destroyed, the absence of this natural barrier can increase the damage to coastal communities from normal wave action and violent storms.

Several million people live in U.S. coastal areas adjacent to or near coral reefs. Some coastal development is required to provide necessary infrastructure for coastal residents and the growing coastal tourism industry. However, the impacts of coastal development (e.g., marina, dock and bridge construction, dredging to replenish beaches) and polluted runoff from coastal areas can damage coral reefs over the long-term. Therefore, the health of coral reefs depends on sustainable coastal development practices that protect sensitive coral ecosystems and the creatures that reside there.

For more information on the impacts of coastal development on coral reef ecosystems, see the following links:

Coral Reefs and Your Coastal Watershed. This page of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water explains what a watershed is and how watersheds are connected to coral reef health. www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/factsheets/fact4.html.

Coral Reefs and Sustainable Coastal Development. This fact sheet by the International Coral Reef Action Network describes the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of unplanned coastal development, and explains “Integrated Coastal Zone Management,” a tool for managing sustainable reefs. www.icran.org/pdf/ICZMsm.pdf.

Reef Restoration and Shore Protection. This page of the Global Coral Reef Alliance discusses the role that reefs play in protecting shores and preventing coastal erosion. http://globalcoral.org/reef_restoration_and_shore_prote.htm.

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