Coral reefs generate up to R$167 billion to Brazil – 10/31/2023 – Environment

A study carried out by researchers and environmentalists points out that coral reefs generate up to R$167 billion in savings for Brazil by acting in coastal protection and promoting tourism. The unprecedented survey was carried out by the Grupo Boticário Nature Protection Foundation and released this Tuesday (31).

The study’s estimate is that around R$7 billion are generated annually by tourism in the reefs, while R$160 billion in coastal protection.

Coral reefs are true condominiums immersed in the water that shelter or are a means of movement for marine species, in addition to accumulating algae. 65% of the sea’s fish are found on reefs.

Coral reefs connect through a calcium carbonate skeleton. They are concentrated in the Northeast of Brazil and spread over approximately 3,000 kilometers along the coast, occupying an area of ​​approximately 170 square kilometers in the Northeast region, between the south of Bahia and Maranhão.

These marine structures make it possible to reduce damage caused by storm surges in coastal cities, flooding and erosion in coastal regions.

According to the organizers, the objective of the study is to contribute to the development of public policies in favor of the conservation of coral reefs and encourage the protection of Brazil’s coastal zone.

They estimate that, for every square kilometer of reef, R$941 million is saved in avoided damage.

“The degradation of coral reefs increases the vulnerability of the coast, especially in situations of extreme events that can cause major damage and material and immaterial losses. If the current deterioration of coral reefs remains unchanged, coastal regions will be even more exposed to flooding and erosion”, says Ronaldo Christofoletti, professor at the Institute of the Sea at the Federal University of São Paulo.

The study indicates that climate change can increase the intensity of rain, storm surges and hurricanes, increasing wave energy. As a result, reefs can have greater economic value in protecting marine communities.

“Investments in the conservation and restoration of coral reefs, in addition to all the ecological benefits, represent a very small portion compared to the costs that can be generated by the lack of coastal protection. There is no doubt that conventional coastal protection infrastructure, with breakwaters, dikes, walls and walls, it brings much higher costs”, says Christofoletti.

The study selected four cities with populations on a different scale — Recife, Ipojuca (PE), Maragogi (AL) and São Miguel dos Milagres (AL) — to analyze coral reefs.

From this, the losses avoided in residential, commercial and industrial areas and in urban public infrastructure, such as roads, highways, pavements and sidewalks in these four cities, were reduced.

Then, the scientists made a projection for the other cities with coral reefs, taking into account the area occupied by the species, the infrastructure of each city and the population of each municipality.

Each square kilometer of healthy coral reef is capable of generating up to R$62.7 million per year in revenue linked to sun, beach and diving tourism, according to the projection.

The study indicates that the relative value of coastal protection provided by coral reefs in Brazil is higher than that of other countries in the world, as it represents a current portrait of vulnerable areas.

Brazil has more than 60 species of coral, some of which are exclusive to the country. Part of these ecosystems is protected by 21 marine conservation units.

The impacts reach people’s daily lives, as coral reefs are sources of raw materials for medicines, improve water quality and contribute to the provision of food and livelihoods, such as artisanal fishing

“Despite occupying less than 0.1% of the ocean floor, coral reefs have essential ecological roles, offering shelter and food for around 25% of marine species”, says Malu Nunes, executive director of Fundação Grupo Boticário.

After disclosure, the researchers intend to contact the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, state governments and city halls whose municipalities have coral reefs on the sea coasts.

The main threats to coral reefs are climate change, sea pollution, disorderly tourism, predatory fishing, real estate speculation and invasive species. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), up to 90% of coral reefs could be lost by 2050.

One of the main threats is bleaching caused by ocean warming and acidification, revealing the species’ calcium carbonate skeleton, which reduces reproductive capacity. Reducing calcification can cause coral death.

The study demonstrates that it is more economically efficient to promote the conservation of coral reefs than to give in to pressures that could further affect this ecosystem, such as real estate speculation and predatory tourism.

As for tourism, the revenues generated were calculated based on market information and analysis of tourism activities in the five main tourist destinations linked to coral reefs in the country: Fernando de Noronha and Ipojuca (Porto de Galinhas), in Pernambuco; Maragogi and São Miguel dos Milagres, in Alagoas; and Caravelas (Abrolhos), in Bahia.

The study also warns that, in the event of a deterioration in the scenario, destinations with few tourist itinerary options, such as São Miguel dos Milagres and Caravelas (BA), could be more impacted if there is a decrease in tourism due to the decline in the health of the reefs. of coral.

“Municipalities with more solid local economies, where coral reefs are not the main or only reason to visit, may not feel the same economic impact from their absence”, states an excerpt from the study. Diving is common in some of the municipalities on the Brazilian coast that have coral reefs.