Mangrove loss 'left Burma exposed' (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Mark Kinver
Science and nature reporter, BBC News

Destruction of mangrove forests in Burma left coastal areas exposed to the devastating force of the weekend's cyclone, a top politician suggests.

ASEAN secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said coastal developments had resulted in mangroves, which act as a natural defence against storms, being lost.

At least 22,000 people have died in the disaster, say state officials.

A study of the 2004 Asian tsunami found that areas near healthy mangroves suffered less damage and fewer deaths.

Mr Surin, speaking at a high-level meeting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Singapore, said the combination of more people living in coastal areas and the loss of mangroves had exacerbated the tragedy.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7385315.stm

Continuing loss of mangrove forests is a problem along many tropical shorelines. The article discusses some of the evidence for the benefits of mangrove 'buffers'.