Abstract
Tropical cyclones (TCs) are natural systems that develop over ocean basins and are key components of the atmospheric activity during the warm season. However, there are still knowledge gaps about the combined positive and negative TC impacts on the structure and function of coastal socio-ecosystems. Using remote sensing tools, we analyzed the frequency, trajectory, and intensity of 1894 TCs from 1851–2019 to identify vulnerable “hotspots” across the Yucatan Peninsula (YP), Mexico. A total of 151 events hit the YP, with 96% of landings on the eastern coast. We focused on three major hurricanes (Emily and Wilma, 2005; Dean, 2007) and one tropical storm (Stan, 2005) to determine the impacts on cumulative precipitation, vegetation change, and coastal phytoplankton (Chl-a) distribution across the YP. Despite a short inland incursion, Wilma’s environmental damage was coupled to strong winds (157–241 km/h), slow motion (4–9 km/h), and heavy precipitation (up to 770 mm). Because of an extensive footprint, Wilma caused more vegetation damage (29%) than Dean (20%), Emily (7%), and Stan (2%). All TCs caused a Chl-a increase associated to submarine discharge and upwelling off the peninsula coastlines. Disaster risk along the coast underscores negative economic impacts and positive ecological benefits at the regional scale.
Highlights
Tropical cyclones (TCs) are atmospheric disturbances that develop over ocean basins in tropical and subtropical latitudes [1]
Our analysis shows the dynamic relationship between TC strength and landing location in regulating precipitation throughout the Yucatan Peninsula (YP)’s diverse regional climates [55,104]
Our comparative analysis shows a significant increase in Chl-a after TC passage along with localized impacts depending on the storm exit point along the coast; this increase has been observed in other regions of the Caribbean Sea (CS), west of the YP
Summary
Tropical cyclones (TCs) are atmospheric disturbances that develop over ocean basins in tropical and subtropical latitudes [1]. As these TCs approach the continent and land, hazardous winds, heavy cumulative precipitation, and storm surges widely impact coastal ecosystems and populated centers. Sci. 2020, 10, 5815 scales [5,6,7] Such impacts on natural ecosystems can range from direct tree mortality, defoliation, tree snapping, and vegetation uprooting [8,9] to geomorphological and hydrological changes that alter water availability [10], sedimentation/erosion patterns [11,12], terrestrial [13,14,15], aquatic, and wetland primary productivity [16]. While global TCs’ trajectories and landing regions (i.e., hotspots) are well delineated along coastlines [17], there are discrepancies in our understanding of the relative role of the interactions among climatic and biophysical drivers that impact coastal regions [7,9,18,19,20,21]
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