This document discusses the impacts of disasters on ecosystems and natural resources. It notes that humans are affected by disasters through their relationship with ecosystems, for example through fisheries, agriculture and tourism. Both direct and indirect long-lasting impacts on ecosystems are often underestimated, while disaster recovery and policies can inadvertently make communities more vulnerable over the long term. Science can help understand these risks and hidden impacts, while emergency responders can benefit from scientific approaches highlighting these issues. The document calls for better integration of science and disaster risk reduction approaches to protect vulnerable ecosystems, natural resources and communities.

1. Ecosystems, Natural Resources
Science and DRR
Deborah Brosnan Ph.D
Virginia Tech University
Brosnan Center

2. Key Messages
Strategic science helps in understanding risks to ecosystems & natural resources and to
people through their ecosystems.
In disasters, humans are affected through their relationship with ecosystems and natural
resources e.g. fisheries, forestry, agriculture, tourism, solace. Long-lasting impacts.
These direct and indirect impacts are underestimated and DRM rarely matches the scale of
the disaster, or nature of the impacts.
Recovery actions and policies often inadvertently hamper recovery, exacerbate the
environmental and human cost, and make communities more vulnerable long-term.
Human’s highest investments in nature conservation and natural resource protection are
often the most vulnerable in a disaster e.g. national parks, endangered species.
The resources to protect and recover these investments are not available after a disaster.
SOLUTIONS- YES. Scientists and Emergency Responders (DRR) need to integrate their
language and approaches better. Science can and should adopt the methods and language
of DRR. Responders can learn from the research and multi-disciplinary approaches that
highlight hidden impacts and counter-intuitive outcomes.

3. Scenario Planning: SAFRR
Tsunami Scenario (California)
1. Represents scientific approach and integration into DRM
2. Forecasted impacts have been observed in other natural and
human-caused disasters
Acknowledgements to our SAFRR team, especially fishery co-authors Anne Wein
(US Geological Survey), Rick Wilson (California Geological Survey) and Patrick
Lynett (University of S. California) for simulations
SAFRR Tsunami Scenario—Impacts on California Ecosystems, Species, Marine
Natural Resources, and Fisheries
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2013/1170/g/index.html
Simulations: http://coastal.usc.edu/plynett/research/movies.html

5. Patrick Lynett

6. Beach and Coastal Habitats
All low-lying beaches and coastal habitats vulnerable and many
heavily inundated. 96 Protected habitat area coastal parks
inundated.
BEACHES ( 266,000 - 1 million visitors on day of tsunami) Beaches are
key natural resources and ecosystem.
Impacts: Inundation, sand loss, debris, contaminants, loss of use.
Natural recovery of sand unlikely in many areas- Controversy and Cost
for beach restoration: Contaminants and clean up
COASTAL MARSHES : Buffer and absorb waves reducing run-up.
Positive effects of nutrient input from sea. But adjacent to urban
areas they become repositories of debris. Contaminants and clean up.
Many Restoration Sites.

8. COLORADO FLOODS: HABITAT RESTORATION SITE LOST

9. Beach and Coastal Habitats
All low-lying beaches and coastal habitats vulnerable and many
heavily inundated. 96 Protected areas coastal parks inundated.
BEACHES ( 266,000 - 1 million per day of tsunami) Natural Resource
and Ecosystem. Inundation, sand loss, debris. Natural recovery of
sand unlikely in many areas- Controversy and Cost. COASTAL
MARSHES : Buffer and absorb waves. But adjacent to urban areas
become repositories of debris. Restoration Sites.
SAND DUNES- Protective buffering by dunes and shallow
nearshore habitats.
Storms- Coastal Habitats protect between US$ 90 million –$ 12
billion in property values per coastal county in California. In
tsunamis, lower but some protection.

11. Beach and Coastal Habitats
All low-lying beaches and coastal habitats vulnerable and many
heavily inundated. 96 Protected areas coastal parks inundated.
BEACHES ( 266,000 - 1 million per day of tsunami)
COASTAL MARSHES : Buffer and absorb waves. But adjacent to urban
areas become repositories of debris. Restoration Sites. SAND DUNES-Protective
buffering by dunes and
Nearshore shallow water marine habitats
-vulnerable, including fishing grounds.
Lost habitat, buried in debris, and/or
contaminants.

12. .

13. Endangered Species
 Snowy Plover
 Black Abalone
 White Abalone
 Clapper Rail
 Spring Run Salmon
 Gobies, Sturgeon, Smelt,
 Sea Turtle
 Endangered Coastal Plants
 FISHERIES- Sea urchins, crab, Shellfish beds buried $218million/yr

14. Fishery Resources and
Fisheries

15. Fish and Fisheries
At risk, $218 million/yr in landing value of which >$42 million in Los
Angeles. (not accounting for related industries e.g. fish processing). All
fishing ports heavily affected. Recovery >1 year.
(i) Impact experienced directly through Ecological and Environmental
Factors
Near shore invertebrate species and fishing habitats at highest risk,
including crab fishery, urchins etc. (Similar to Tohoku) Coastal pelagics
less vulnerable directly. Marine species e.g. sea urchins, are sheared and
swept away; juveniles especially vulnerable, leading to recruitment loss
and delayed fishing declines. (some areas in Japan Tohoku: 90% of
juveniles urchins lost)
ii. Cascading Effects (inter-dependencies)
.

16. Habitats, Marine Life
Habitats and marine life buried by sand, nets, kelp
beds torn out. Environmental contaminants and debris
dumped on the seabed or remobilized
 150,000 m3 sediment in one bay - $12.7 million/yr
crab fishery and crab populations, contaminants
mobilized.
 Lost Fishing Gear- 1 ghost net traps 1,000 crabs and
other invertebrates, 150 fish, and 80 birds per year
Resulting $ Loss: $20,000 to crab fisheries

17. Fish and Fisheries
At risk, $218 million/yr in landing value of which >$42 million in Los
Angeles. (not accounting for related industries e.g. fish processing).
(i) Impact experienced directly through Ecological and Environmental
Factors
ii. Cascading Effects (inter-dependencies)
Affect fishery industry, species, and habitats.
.

20. Ecosystem and Natural Resources
Preparedness and Response
- DESPITE HUGE INVESTEMENT IN PROTECTION OF NATURE AND RETURNS IN
MULTIPLE VALUES
 Planning and Response for Ecosystems, Endangered Species and
Fisheries in Disasters - Where is it?
 Poor understanding of the science and scale of event. Fishery Response,
Protected Area response.
History Shows_ Post Disaster Response and Recovery Challenges
 Contaminant-Ecosystem: Jurisdictional Regulations. Contaminated
sediments
 Relaxation of regulations that increase vulnerability long-term, and
hamper recovery. Post tsunami, changes to fishery policy increased
pressure on resource and on fishermenPost forest fire/ earthquake
response was to relax building regulations in vulnerable areas:.

21. Solution Measures
Role of Science. Knowledge, forecasting and understanding the impacts on
ecosystems and natural resources. Hidden and Counter-intuitive outcomes.
FOR SCIENTISTS: - Understand the approach and Adopt approach and the
language of DRR and DRM
(Oil Spill Incident Command Structure for oiled wildlife: WRDA)
FOR DRM Professionals: UNDERSTAND that scientific community has
knowledge and information on ecological cycles, complex systems and
counter-intuitive outcomes. Knowledge can drive priorities and help
vulnerable communities including post-disaster.
Thursday: Dialogue for Recommendations on How to build the science-
DRR link 11-12.30 Seehorn.
Wed 1.30-3 Sertig Thurs 1.30-3 Sertig

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