Forests help us in many ways. They preserve biodiversity, combat climate change, and even protect us from floods. However, quantifying the value of these benefits has been a challenge for many years.
Scientists from the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) have found a way to evaluate the impacts of nature-based solutions, such as forest protection, on flood risk. In a new study published in One Earth, they show that protecting forests from deforestation in Myanmar’s Chindwin River basin could reduce the economic and human costs of floods by 14 per cent, saving US$1 million in flood-losses annually and protecting 30,000 people in the next decade.
Read the full post on the Earth Observatory Blog
About the Earth Observatory of Singapore
The Earth Observatory of Singapore conducts fundamental research on earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and climate change in and around Southeast Asia, toward safer and more sustainable societies.
About the EOS Risk & Society Research Group
EOS conducts research that links policy and social science inquiry with its natural science research and Education & Outreach involvement in areas affected by natural hazards. One project in Aceh aims to produce a comprehensive and integrated approach to post-disaster recovery and resilience. Another project is to assess current risk perceptions and mitigative actions related to earthquakes and tsunamis and the degree to which science- communication has influenced those perceptions and actions.
