Natural ecosystems can stem flooding
Natural infrastructure can help reduce impacts from climate change and sea-level rise throughout South Florida.
But what does natural infrastructure even mean? It’s just a way of describing natural ecosystems such as the Everglades or mangrove forests in Coral Gables and around Miami-Dade County.
However, instead of considering their value from a habitat or an ecological perspective, we assess these ecosystems as social and economic assets. They’re an inexpensive way to defend the region from the potential financial damage of chronic flooding while preserving or enhancing the environment in which we live, work and play.
These systems help protect our drinking water, coastlines and recreational amenities, and reduce the threat of flooding and pollution. As with the Everglades, natural infrastructure works best when it is managed to preserve or enhance its function — and thus its benefits to society.
Long ago, Miami’s environment provided robust ecosystem services. That’s when freshwater springs bubbled up from the middle of Biscayne Bay, the airport was a wetland, and the Atlantic rock ridge (a.k.a. I-95 corridor) was the best way to travel. Mangroves lined much of our shores.
But population growth and development have changed all that.
Nowadays, in some of the areas we call home, persistent drainage with pumps, control structures and canals is the only way to keep some neighborhoods dry. We call this kind of flood control “gray infrastructure.”
However, that doesn’t always work and often comes with unintended social and environmental costs.
Comparing natural infrastructure with gray infrastructure is analogous to comparing a screwdriver to a multi-tool device with a screwdriver, pliers, a knife, a bottle opener, Allen wrench, etc.
For example, a seawall can help keep land from eroding, but it may cause subsequent damage to the environment.
However, a living shoreline of mangrove vegetation can help keep land from eroding, but also reduces heat and improves water and air quality. It provides habitat for fish and birds. It also increases recreational and educational value and even removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
“Bioswales” are another hybrid. They feature trees and shrubs embedded into a stormwater network. They improve water quality, reduce heat and make the swales look better.
In some cases, natural infrastructure can make gray infrastructure work efficient. A variety of approaches will yield the greatest benefits.
These nature-based strategies have extraordinary economic benefits. Since 1980, coastal wetlands in the United States were determined to provide $23 billion per year in storm protection services.
Other benefits include saving money on water quality remediation and stormwater management, and raising money through increased property values and higher revenues from more tourists.
These kinds of natural or green infrastructure approaches are not a heavy lift. Ecologists have been studying natural ecosystems for a long time and landscape architects usually apply natural ecosystem concepts in their designs.
We can do more to make natural infrastructure work effectively for South Florida’s residents and businesses, enhancing opportunities for innovative approaches to adaptation. As we adapt to sealevel rise, we have many tools in the toolbox that can not only keep our communities safe, but also improve our quality of life.