Reduction of wind and swell waves by mangroves

Cambridge Coastal Research Unit working paper 40, natural coastal protection series, report 1:

This report focuses on mangrove forests and the role they can play in reducing wind and swell waves. It aims to review available information about the capacity of mangroves to reduce wind and swell waves, in order to inform decision makers, planners and coastal engineers about the role mangroves can play in coastal defense against these hazards. It comes as the first in a series of technical reports investigating the role of ecosystems in coastal defense.

The report begins by reviewing the capacity of mangroves to attenuate wind and swell waves. It looks at evidence for wave attenuation in mangroves, and reviews the factors affecting the rate of attenuation with distance. It then considers models that have been used to predict wave attenuation, and looks at what information is needed in order to use these models. Finally it looks at how these models have been used to plan the use of mangroves in coastal defense strategies.