In the Philippines, Mangroves Are a Valuable Flood Defense
Climate change and coastal development are increasing the risks to people and property from flooding across the globe. A new study released today by the WAVES Program, led by the
But mangroves are threatened by habitat degradation and destruction, in part because the economic value of their benefits and services is not measured, and thus not fully accounted for in policy and management decisions. Better valuations of the protective services of these coastal habitats can ensure that they are recognized and protected. This is the mission of the Global WAVES program, which promotes natural capital accounting to measure and value the services provided by nature.
A team led by
Beyond the numbers, this work has far reaching consequences.
"This study demonstrates that the protection benefits of mangroves and other coastal habitats can be quantitatively measured and valued, and that these benefits are incredibly important," says
"By valuing these coastal protection benefits in terms used by finance and development decision-makers (e.g., annual expected benefits), these results can be readily used alongside common metrics of national economic accounting, and can inform risk reduction, development and environmental conservation decisions in
These results have immediate implications for numerous programs in
This work was produced by a partnership between the WAVES Program, the
Recovery Efforts Continue. Grant Funds Available for Agricultural Producers Affected by 2012/2013 Floods and Fires
WHO Emergency Support Program
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