Ecosystems contribute to reducing the risk of disasters in multiple and varied ways. Well-managed ecosystems can reduce the impact of many natural hazards, such as landslides, flooding, avalanches and storm surges. The extent to which an ecosystem will buffer against extreme events will depend on an ecosystem’s health and the intensity of the event. Degraded ecosystems can sometimes still play a buffering role, although to a much lesser extent than fully functioning ecosystems
Environmental guidance note for disaster risk reduction: Healthy ecosystems for human security and climate change adaptation
Year: 2013