The Protective Value of Nature: A Review of the Effectiveness of Natural Infrastructure
Patty Glick, Emily Powell, Sara Schlesinger, Jessie Ritter, Bruce A. Stein, and Amanda Fuller
The Protective Value of Nature summarizes the latest science on the effectiveness of natural infrastructure in lowering the risks to communities from weather- and climate-related hazards—benefits that we often describe as “natural defenses.” Over the past two decades, the body of research evaluating and quantifying the protective performance of natural infrastructure has increased significantly. Both model-based assessments and empirical evidence from recent floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters underscore the considerable risk reduction services that natural systems such as wetlands, reefs, dunes, floodplains, and forests provide. At the same time, natural infrastructure offers numerous additional benefits to society, from provision of food and clean water for people and habitat for fish and wildlife, to recreational opportunities, and cultural and spiritual fulfillment.
US National Wildlife Federation
https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/NWF-Reports/2020/The-Protective-Value-of-Nature.ashx
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