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Coastal wetlands reduce the damaging effects of hurricanes on coastal communities. Coastal wetlands in the United States are estimated to provide $23.2 billion a year in storm protection services. A loss of 1 hectare of wetland corresponded to an average $33,000 increase in storm damage from specific storms, and on average, coastal wetlands were valued at $8,240 per hectare per year.

Costanza, Robert, Octavio Pérez-Maqueo, M. Luisa Martinez, Paul Sutton, Sharolyn J. Anderson, and Kenneth Mulder. (2008). The value of coastal wetlands for hurricane protection. AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 37(4), 241-248.

Topics

Flood protection, Other economic, Wetland

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