Mangroves keep waves at bay. A new study helps scientists predict how

Mangrove forests, located at the intersection of land and sea, have long been recognized for their crucial role in protecting coastal areas from the impacts of storms and rising sea levels. A recent study has now provided a method to predict the extent to which mangroves can reduce the intensity of waves generated by severe storms.

When a wave encounters a cluster of mangroves, its energy is absorbed by the intricate network of their twisted roots. As a result, the wave loses much of its energy as it exits the other side, effectively acting as a natural barrier and safeguarding shorelines from potential damage or flooding. While the capacity of mangroves to attenuate wave intensity is well-known among scientists, most data on this subject has been gathered during calm weather conditions.

Measuring mangrove attenuation during storms or typhoons poses challenges due to the difficulty in collecting data and the presence of additional factors influencing wave motion. Consequently, "existing models may not always accurately predict the wave attenuation by mangroves during storms," explained Stijn Temmerman, a professor at the University of Antwerp, Belgium.

This is particularly significant as climate change is associated with more intense weather events. In 2025 alone, over 87 million individuals were affected by climate-related disasters, including floods and severe storms. Therefore, the creation of more sophisticated methods to simulate worst-case climate and storm scenarios is deemed essential.