Perspective Chapter: Electric Reefs Enhance Coral Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract

Survival of coral reefs from globally rising temperature, sea level, and pollution requires new regeneration methods that greatly increase coral growth rates, survival, and resistance to accelerating extreme environmental stresses. Electric (“Biorock”) limestone reefs can be grown in any size or shape, get stronger with age, grow back if damaged, and increase settlement, growth, survival, and stress resistance of all marine organisms examined. Electrified corals survive repeated severe bleaching events when over 90% of corals on nearby reefs die. Electric reefs are open mesh frameworks with more vertical levels of holes and surfaces than natural reefs, which can be grown in places where natural reefs cannot grow due to lack of substrate or unsuitable physical and chemical conditions. They strongly enhance reef physical structure, wave absorption, ecological function, biodiversity, productivity, and habitat and ecosystem services including shore protection, sand generation, and fisheries habitat, even at severely degraded sites where no natural regeneration takes place. Electric reefs, optimized for local needs, provide superior cost-effective options for shore protection, conservation, sustainable mariculture, and regeneration of coastal ecosystems that grow to keep pace with sea level rise. They will provide an essential tool to develop sustainable “Blue Economies.”