Exploring the lattice turbulence of Acropora Palmata thickets in wave attenuation and sediment deposition as a device for coastal protection.
The WANSEC Project explores how Elkhorn Coral (Acropora Palmata)—a towering, reef-building species—can reduce wave energy and sediment movement, offering a natural, cost-effective defense against coastal erosion and flooding in Caribbean SIDS. With field sites in Jamaica, Barbados, and Antigua & Barbuda, the project combines coral restoration, coastal risk modelling, and adaptive management tools to strengthen marine biodiversity and climate resilience.
Backed by US$2 million from the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, WANSEC brings together scientists, practitioners, and local communities to demonstrate coral reefs’ vital role in climate adaptation. Its findings will inform replicable restoration strategies, stakeholder training, and policy guidance to scale coral-based solutions for coastal protection across the region.
