80-90% estuarine habitat loss due to urbanization increases coastal cities' vulnerability to storm surges and tidal flooding.
Human activities, particularly urbanization of estuaries, have heightened the vulnerability of coastal cities to storm surges and tidal flooding. With 80-90% of estuarine habitats lost, natural protections have diminished, while dredging has doubled shipping channel depths, exacerbating flooding. Proposed solutions, like gated storm-surge barriers and wetland restoration, offer some protection but are insufficient against long-term sea-level rise, necessitating comprehensive strategies for urban resilience.
October 16, 2024
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