On the Tides: A Resort Raising Awareness of Coral Reefs Through Environmental Intimacy and Accessible Exploration Off Hollywood, Florida's Coast
View/ Open
Abstract
Reef ecosystems around the world are facing threats from all sides. They see destruction and physical damage from careless people participating in destructive practices such as improper fishing, dredging, or even people removing coral itself. It isn’t just from water however, urban development along coasts has changed the ecosystem in the water. Nutrients from agriculture finds its way into runoff. Urban stormwater as well as inadequately treated sewage makes its way into the oceans via our coastal cities. Overfishing can alters the delicate food chain the most reefs rely on for survival. This already fragile ecosystem is under a barrage of environmental threats and needs support.
Coral reefs support 25% of sea life and do a tremendous amount for Florida as a whole. Reefs provide about $8 Billion to Florida’s economy and supports 70,000 jobs. This might not be the extent of what’s damaged though as the reefs support up to $2.7 Trillion to Florida’s coastal economy and 50% of all tourism jobs. Coral reefs also break waves further away from shore so that the shoreline is protected and saves Florida about $1.8 billion in flood protection and helps 120,000 properties at risk for frequent tidal flooding.
The development of this resort will look into the viability of such overwater construction around an artificial reef. It will show the economic feasibility of such a project in hopes that private developers can be added to the list of numerous non-profits and research groups that are fighting the decline in reefs. This research will explore the factors that are essential in propagating a reef ecosystem and analyze the Florida and surrounding coastlines for a viable spot to propagate a reef as well as provide essential infrastructure for a resort.