The Savannah River swapped bare marsh edge for oyster reefs in 2023; wave energy fell by up to 40%, giving Georgia coasts a tougher storm shield

Scientists built oyster reefs in Georgia's Savannah River to reduce wave energy. These reefs lessened wave impact on the shoreline by as much as forty percent. The "spat-on-shell" approach proved to be an inexpensive method for reef creation. However, wave attenuation effectiveness varies significantly with submersion duration. This nature-based defense offers a promising, adaptable solution for coastal erosion.