New research led by UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography highlights the critical role of mangroves in protecting coastal communities from the devastating effects of climate change—particularly hurricanes.
New research led by UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography highlights the critical role of mangroves in protecting coastal communities from the devastating effects of climate change—particularly hurricanes.
On the night of Oct. 25, 2023, Hurricane Otis struck the iconic port of Acapulco, Mexico, with winds reaching up to 270 kilometers per hour (168 miles per hour), making it one of the most devastating tropical cyclones in the country's recent history. The destruction was unprecedented, resulting in 50 deaths and leading to the disappearance of more than 30 people. The impact also left an indelible mark on the region's infrastructure and housing, with estimated damages ranging from 200 to 300 billion pesos ($9.9 to $14.8 billion), according to various non-governmental sources.
In a new exploratory study by climate scientist Bernie A. Bastien-Olvera and colleagues, the researchers show that preserving mangrove ecosystems could have significantly reduced the damage caused by Hurricane Otis. The study highlights that the mangrove coverage existing in the 1980s could have protected coastal infrastructure and prevented the destruction of dozens of homes. These findings illustrate how mangrove deforestation—driven by urbanization and tourism expansion—has weakened the region's natural defenses against hurricanes.
Read More: University of California - San Diego
A healthy mangrove forest on Mexico's southern Pacific coast. (Photo credit: Octavio Aburto)
