Want To Limit Tsunami Damage? Plant Trees

November 22, 2013 in Daily Bulletin

mangrove trees

The disaster in the Philippines has caused untold devastation, though relief operations are underway. Future protection methods are already being discussed, writes Gwynn Guilford:

  • Most of the 3,900 people tragically killed by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines earlier this month lost their lives to 20 foot tidal surges.
  • Some areas had suffered from illegal logging prior to the typhoon, and some hadn’t. The areas that had trees remaining fared better than those where trees had been removed.
  • Some 70-90% of a wave’s impact can be removed by tree buffers.
  • The Philippines environment secretary is now pushing measures to replant 380 km of unprotected beach length.

The article contains a video demonstration of how trees can diminish the impact of water. See more over here

Source: Quartz