A new study that includes researchers from The University of Western Australia has highlighted the severe impacts of intensifying hurricanes on coastal ecosystems in the North Atlantic. 

The paper, published in Communications, Earth & Environment, examines how increased hurricane activity, driven by climate change, is affecting coral reefs, mangroves, salt marshes, seagrass meadows, and oyster reefs.

Co-author Dr Karen Filbee-Dexter from the UWA Oceans Institute said coastal ecosystems acted as natural defence lines, protecting coastal communities from storms while supporting marine biodiversity. 

“However, as climate change intensifies hurricane activity, these natural barriers are under unprecedented threat,” Dr Filbee-Dexter said. 

“Over the past 50 years, the North Atlantic has seen a significant increase in severe storms, driven by both natural climate variations and human-induced warming.” 

The study found the region had experienced a 68 per cent increase in hurricanes that made landfall and were rated category 4 or 5 since 1970, accompanied by rising overall hurricane wind speeds. 

Analysing the effects of 97 storms revealed substantial damage across key marine ecosystems. 

“As climate change continues to drive stronger and more frequent storms globally, coastal ecosystems in the North Atlantic serve as a ‘canary in the coal mine’ for potential future impacts,” Dr Filbee-Dexter said.

“These pose mounting risks to ecosystems essential for biodiversity, coastal defence and carbon storage.”

Professor Thomas Wernberg, also from UWA’s Oceans Institute and a co-author on the study, said the research pinpointed how each type of coastal ecosystem was uniquely affected by hurricanes.

“With mangrove forests, high winds uproot trees and strip leaves, causing significant destruction, “ Professor Wernberg said.

“Coral reefs are affected by intense waves, which fracture and dislodge essential coral structures, while storm surges flatten salt marshes, posing a threat to these vital habitats. Additionally, sediment shifts and salinity changes stress seagrass meadows and oyster reefs, sometimes exacerbating risks from infectious diseases.”

The authors said the study highlighted the need to understand habitat-specific vulnerabilities, as the increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes, combined with human-driven habitat degradation, continued to challenge the resilience of the ecosystems.

“These findings foreshadow the damage our oceans will face in a world of more extreme events,” Dr Filbee-Dexter said.