Coastal ecosystems contribution to climate adaptation and disasters risk management in the tropical Americas

This perspective paper relates the scientific evidence of ecosystem services provided by coastal ecosystems in the tropical Americas, with a plausible basis for mainstreaming them into disasters risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies. First, the authors contextualise the typology around working with nature. Secondly, they focus on coastal processes underpinning the establishment and functionality of coastal ecosystems as a baseline for ecosystem services provision. Then, thirdly, the researchers link scientifically identified ecological services provided in the region with disaster risk management and adaptation benefits. Conclusions are drawn from this analysis, with recommendations for local, national and global processes mainstreaming ecosystems into climate change adaptation and disaster risk management strategies.