Oyster Reefs: Living Water Treatment and Coastal Defense
Oyster reefs are emerging as dual-purpose coastal infrastructure: living breakwaters that reduce wave energy by up to 99% while filtering billions of gallons of polluted water. From the Chesapeake Bay to the Gulf Coast, restored reefs now remove nitrogen equivalent to tens of thousands of fertilizer bags annually, cost five to ten times less than seawalls, and support thriving fisheries. As climate change intensifies, communities worldwide are choosing nature-based solutions—combining recycle...
