Hurricanes' Impact on Coastal Ecosystems
Coastal ecosystems are often drastically changed by the effects of high winds and raging flood waters caused by hurricanes. These in turn affect fish, plant and animal life as well as the very structure of the coast that previously protected the ecosystem.
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Birds
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In 1989, Hurricane Hugo reduced the population of Puerto Rican parrots by half, and as hurricanes continue to damage their territory, the birds are threatened by predatory species and disease as they move to other areas.
Water
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Hurricanes can cause corals to be fractured and ripped from the sand, as was the case during Hurricane Georges in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Pollutants and disease in recent years make it hard for coral reefs to regenerate.
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Barrier Islands
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Hurricanes can severely damage barrier islands, threatening migrating birds and leaving coastal ecosystems and cities vulnerable to strong waves during future storms.
Benefits
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Following hurricanes in 1996 and 1999, areas of Pamlico Sound in North Carolina saw a reduction in harmful organisms and dilution of pollutants, with the storm effectively "flushing out" these negative impacts on the ecosystem, benefiting shellfish and other fish populations.
Survival of the Fittest
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In forests and marshes, non-native, exotic species of plants often are better capable of colonizing hurricane-hit areas and out-compete native trees and plants that were predominant before the storm.
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References
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