Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2026

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor(s)

John Van Buren

Abstract

This paper addresses the impacts of climate change on natural disasters and examines how rehabilitation of mangrove forests in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean can mitigate those effects. Rising ocean and atmospheric temperatures contribute to higher sea levels and more severe hurricanes and tropical storms, characterized by increased frequency, duration, and intensity in peak winds, storm surges, and rainfall. Mangrove ecosystems act as vital buffers against coastal disturbances such as tsunamis and extreme storms, while contributing to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. Additionally, they improve water quality by filtering nutrients, preventing eutrophication. Despite their ecological and economic value, mangroves in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean have experienced an estimated 4.7% loss since 1996. Chapter One introduces a quantitative assessment of mangrove deforestation’s effects on coastal communities in the region and the value of preserving this biome as a natural defense. Chapter Two explores the historical context of mangrove use and the increasing threats posed by anthropogenically induced natural disasters, with particular attention to Mesoamerica and the Caribbean. This chapter also observes the ecosystem’s pragmatism, comparing Indigenous use of mangroves to contemporary applications in development and tourism. Chapter Three applies ecological economics to evaluate the costs and benefits of restoration projects, with particular attention to non-market social and environmental values. Chapter Four draws on political ecology to examine the intersection of environmental governance, grassroots action, and social justice in coastal communities. Finally, Chapter Five proposes an integrated set of policy recommendations for mangrove restoration, focusing on governance, economic and financial strategies, community-based and Indigenous participation, and long-term ecological management and enforcement.

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