Protective functions of coastal forests and trees against natural hazards

摘要: This paper argues that coastal forests and mangroves need to be restored even created, enhance the capacity of estuaries waters provide ecological services human population living on its shores, as well protect coast from wind damage, salt spray, erosion, typhoons, in saving lives during a tsunami. It is stressed these bioshields cannot complete protection; they must part regional plan reduce risk loss life, property infrastructure an acceptable level. A sacrificial zone within this bioshield incorporated management plan. The appropriate choice vegetation depends severity natural hazards, bathymetry, climate, local land use, available options survive extreme events. solution protecting hazards not just local; it also involves whole river catchment. Indeed used landslides mountainous areas along banks, large dams operated so maintain coarse riverine sediment flow necessary prevent erosion. Bioshields, including mangroves, important ecohydrological such creating self-scoured navigable channels, sheltering seagrass beds coral reefs excess sedimentation, enhancing fisheries; are all resources tropical coasts rely for their livelihood quality life.