Abstract

Coastal mangrove forests are crucial Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for safeguarding coastal communities against the intensified hazards of climate-influenced storms. This study reviews the existing literature on estimating the dual scale of the value mangroves provide in terms of their ability to physically and ecologically attenuate waves and storm surge, and their value as a carbon store - blue carbon. There are also strict shifts from a paradigm around "defense" of the coastal zone to sustainable managed approaches due to global climate change, as shown by rising sea levels and an increase in storms. Complex root systems of mangroves are effective at reducing the height of storm surges and wave energy and can provide a low-cost "soft" alternative to complement engineered "hard" structures. In addition, mangroves are critical in the fight against climate change owing to their capacity to be part of the carbon-absorbing process called sequestration, or sequestering the carbon in their biomass and subsequent soils, or blue carbon. This synthesis review of existing literature will assess the protection service magnitude value of mangroves and specifically focus on hydrodynamic modeling in storm surge reduction and methods of ecosystem service valuation. These policies emphasize the importance of timely action concerning the conservation and restoration of mangroves as components of climate change adaptation and total inclusive coastal zone management, which influences these forests' protective function. Based on modeled scenarios, timely action related to management and restoration is essential for climate change adaptation to the coastal zone, informed by policy-integrated change. The primary purpose is to assist with an informative structure that informs decision-makers on the ecological and financial benefits of protecting coastline ecosystems and the socioeconomic rationale for their protection.

Keywords: Mangroves, Storm surges, Climate change, Wave attenuation, Blue carbon, Coastal resilience