Coral reef ecosystem-based coastal disaster risk reduction

Abstract

Recently, Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) has attracted attention. Coral reefs are known to be important for reducing the risk of coastal disasters as natural breakwaters because they dissipate high waves from the outer ocean. However, if the three-dimensional structure created by corals is lost due to bleaching events, the function of wave dissipation due to bottom friction decreases, and the risk of coastal disasters may increase. Meanwhile, sea-level rise promotes upward reef growth, which is an important factor in the wave dissipation, but there is little scientific knowledge on the relationship between sea-level rise, coral growth, and upward reef growth. Therefore, it is necessary to accumulate scientific knowledge and clarify the importance of Eco-DRR on coral reefs. Eco-DRR is related to various fields required by society, such as tourism, education, and urban planning. Since research on Eco-DRR using coral reefs has just begun, it is necessary to consider what kind of efforts can be made for social implementation.