CoralGardening focus on the seven goals:
- Restoration of coral reefs
- Increased fish populations
- Attractive alternative dive sites
- Coastal protection
- Source of income for local communities
- Social cohesion between local communities and tourists
- Carbon (CO2)fixation
Restoration of coral reefs
A coral reef can slowly but surely recover through the construction of a CoralGarden. Growth rates differ between coral species, from 5-25 mm each year for massive corals to up to 200 mm each year for some branching species. The building of a coral skeleton costs a lot of energy, which is provided by “algae” living inside a coral’s tissue.
Increased fish populations
Coral reefs are fish nurseries and provide a refuge for fish and many otgher animals. Reefs have many different and important functions, which are not included to just maintaining biodiversity underwater. Healthy reefs are the oceans metropole, being visited every day by all kinds of marine life. We can safely say: more corals means more fish!
Attractive alternative dive site
CoralGardens are fantastic locations for divers. They are designed to suit the needs of the experienced and the inexperienced. That way they can alleviate the pressure the diving industry may have on some natural reefs. By attracting tourists to our CoralGardens, we hope to spread our ideals even faster for the benefit of coral reefs worldwide.
Coastal protection
Healthy reefs are a natural barrier that protect coastal zones and communities from rough seas. Reefs can even be stronger than man-made concrete structures. Without healthy reefs, coastal zones are much more vulnerable to natural disasters like storms and floods. Keep in mind that the global climate is changing and you begin to realize the importance of a healthy ocean.
Source of income for local communities
CoralGardening also supports local communities. We cooperate as much as possible with the local inhabitants to create a large support base for our projects. Additionally, we invest substantial amounts in the local businesses to realize our CoralGardens that will provide higher incomes for the tourism industries in the long term.
Social cohesion between local communities and tourists
A large support base is paramount for the success of a CoralGarden. That is why we ask locals and tourists to help in the best ways they can during the construction. For example through workshops in Coral Gardening. By bringing together different groups of people we can spread our message in a positive, sustainable and fast way.
Carbon (CO2) fixation
Increased atmospheric CO2 levels can have negative impacts on corals. But corals also need CO2 to build their skeletons. Like plants and trees, corals can “fix” CO2 and take it out of the atmosphere. The main advantage of corals over plants is that coral reefs can easily persist for thousands of years, if the conditions are right. Most “old” plants are only a couple of decades years old. After their death, the CO2 they captured is often released back into the atmosphere. Coral reefs are a much better long term solution for CO2 storage than forests.