Coastal protection workshop - In the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami: what role for forests and trees? 28-31 August 2006

FAO convened the technical workshop, the “Coastal protection in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami: what role for forests and trees?” in Khao Lak, Thailand from 28 through 31 August 2006. The objective of the workshop was to improve understanding of the role of coastal trees and forests in protecting populations and assets from natural hazards, including not only tsunamis but also cyclones, erosion, wind and salt spray.

The workshop was organized in response to the contrasting views that have arisen since the 2004 tsunami concerning the importance of trees and forests in coastal protection. Eyewitnesses reported that coastal forests and mangrove forests in particular had saved lives and, in some cases, whole villages from destruction. Subsequent analyses asserted that elevation and distance from the coast were more significant determinants of protection than the forest cover. A better understanding of the degree to which forests and trees provide protection from coastal hazards will provide an improved basis for formulation of coastal management plans and disaster mitigation strategies.

The workshop brought together the best available knowledge and experience to give a clear picture of the roles that forests and trees play in protection against tsunamis, cyclones, erosion, wind and salt spray. The workshop placed this information in the wider context of coastal planning and social, economic and environmental considerations. It also assessed the value of trees and forests compared to other commonly used soft and hard (engineered) structures for coastal protection.

Major findings

1. Forests and trees can act as bioshields that protect people and other assets against tsunamis and other coastal hazards, but whether they are effective and the degree of their effectiveness depend on many variables;

2. Care must be taken to avoid making generalizations and creating a false sense of security that bioshields will protect against all hazards;

3. The use of bioshields should be considered within the framework of disaster management strategies, which also include effective early warning systems and evacuation plans.

Workshop documentation 

General

Concept note

Agenda

Papers and presentations

Please note that the power point presentations have been converted into handouts (PDF), in order to reduce the size of the file and facilitate the download of the information.

Protection from tsunamis

Protection from cyclones

Protection from wind and salt spray

Protection from coastal erosion

Coastal area planning and management

Synthesis

Voluntary presentations: Forestry initiatives for coastal protection

Wrap-up material

Working group output - Diagnostic tools

Workshop conclusions and recommendations

Participants list

Press release: "Post-tsunami: coastal forests can act as bioshields. Other forms of protection are also needed" (4 September 2006)

Proceedings

Related material

"The protective role of coastal forests in human security - fact or illusion". Unasylva, December 2006

Bibliography on forests and coastal protection (Draft)

Bibliography on the protective functions of forests against tsunami

UNEP-WCMC. 2006 In the front line: Shoreline protection and other ecosystem services from mangroves and coral reefs. UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge, UK 33 pp