The role of ecosystems in disaster risk reduction

This book provides an overview of knowledge and practice in this multidisciplinary field of ecosystems management and disaster risk reduction (DRR). The contributors, professionals from the science and disaster management communities around the world, represent state of the art knowledge, practices, and perspectives on the topic. It is intended to serve as a basis to encourage and further develop discussion among scientists, practitioners, policy makers, and development planners.

The book considers the following: (i) why do ecosystems matter in disaster risk reduction; (ii) ecosystems and coastal disaster risk reduction; (iii) water resources management for disaster risk reduction; (iii) sustainable land management for disaster risk reduction; and (iv) policy, planning and future perspectives. It contains cases studies from Jamaica, the United States, South Africa and Nepal, and addresses various themes related to disaster risk reduction, such as disaster risk and vulnerability assessments, community resilience, urban adaptation strategy, capacity development, integrated risk management, floods and landslides.