Final answer:
Coral reefs act as natural barriers protecting shorelines from tsunamis and storms. Dredging and other human activities have diminished these defenses, increasing the impact of natural disasters on coastal areas while also harming local economies and biodiversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the environmental impact of coral reef removal on tsunami damage.
Coral reefs, along with other coastal ecosystems such as mangrove forests and sea grass beds, serve as natural barriers that can reduce the impact of storms and tsunamis on shorelines.
Unfortunately, human activities such as dredging and coastal development can damage these vital natural defenses, resulting in more severe storm impacts and ecological damage. For example, the stripping of mangrove forests in some hard-hit areas of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami exacerbated the damage.
The destruction of coral reefs due to human population growth, through sediment runoff and overfishing, has further weakened these natural barriers, making coastal areas more vulnerable to the destructive forces of tsunamis and storms.
Additionally, human actions that harm coral reefs can negatively affect local economies - dependent on tourism and fisheries - and decrease biodiversity, further indicating the importance of preserving these ecosystems.