Exploring the Role of Natural Ecosystems in Mitigating Tropical Cyclone Impacts

Tropical cyclones are massive rotating low-pressure weather systems that form over tropical regions where the ocean water temperature is at least 80° F. Wind acts as a guiding force as the system travels, allowing warm-moist air from the ocean’s surface to rise into it. Atmospheric instability, wind patterns, and warm-moist air from the ocean's surface all play a crucial role in the development and intensity of these systems. These powerful storm systems cause extensive devastation along their paths, and the economic damage can be especially challenging to recover from, particularly in lower-income countries. As climate change increases the risk of more extreme weather events, so does the necessity of climate adaptation. Natural ecosystems can mitigate the impacts of climate-related events and offer a cost-effective solution to help people adapt to the impacts of climate change, especially in areas of low human development.

Nature-based solutions offer diverse protection from natural disasters. Forests and other vegetation help lower the risk of landslides and hurricane-force winds, wetlands assist in regulating flooding, and coastal vegetation like mangroves provides protection against storm surges. Data on climate-related disasters recorded between 2000 and 2020 in the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) was used to discern disparities in climate-related disaster impacts across countries and continents while pinpointing areas where people have been impacted from cyclones. The Sentinel-2 10m Land Use/Land Cover Time Series data produced by Impact Observatory and Esri was used to calculate the total amount of forest vegetation for the Caribbean islands as they are the most vulnerable location during the lifecycle of a tropical cyclone. The datasets were then combined to compare the amount of forest vegetation to the amount of people impacted by the storm. We hypothesize that areas with abundant vegetation experience fewer impacts than those with sparse vegetation, indicating a negative correlation between the two variables. This investigation could strengthen the argument for incorporating nature-based solutions into national climate resilience strategies and preserving natural ecosystems, as ultimately, protecting nature is about safeguarding our own future.