(WPDE) — Coastal forests play a vital role in protecting South Carolina communities from hurricanes, according to Skip Van Bloem, a professor of forest ecology at Clemson University.
Van Bloem’s research highlights the importance of these ecosystems in mitigating the effects of strong winds, rainfall, and storm surges. “There aren’t that many places there are natural green spaces in the landscape, so the protective capacity of freshwater wetlands and coastal forests has basically already been lost,” he said.
In areas like Myrtle Beach and the coastal part of Horry County, Van Bloem believes development has reached its limit. “I think, honestly, I think it’s at its max already,” he stated. He suggests that communities with fewer protective forests should consider design features to mitigate storm damage, warning that urban areas dominated by cement and hard surfaces face increased threats.”…