Examining weak sustainability for storm protection by mangroves

Abstract

Although the body of scientific evidence supports that mangroves provide storm protection and save lives during cyclones, coastal planners have been prioritizing the adoption of technological alternatives, for example, early warnings, evacuation training, and storm shelters—over mangrove conservation, to manage storm risks. Such policy has the underlying assumption that mangroves and technological alternatives for storm protection are perfect substitutes. This paper studies storm protection by mangroves in India and compares the life-saving efficacy of mangroves and technological alternatives empirically under different evacuation scenarios. Results show that the storm-protection ability of mangroves remains significant and that mangroves have been protecting lives even when these technological alternatives are present in a large number.