tropical-cyclone-tree-cover-loss-github-repo.tar.gz

Many Pacific Small Island Developing States are vulnerable to Tropical Cyclones (TCs) which cause an estimated average annual loss of USD 1.08 billion. This study provides an example of how Post Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNAs) could include the economic impacts of tropical cyclones on tree cover. It aims to quantify the impacts associated with four category 5 TCs in Fiji and Vanuatu. Compared to national average annual tree cover losses between 2000 and 2023, TCs Pam and Harold increased tree cover loss 4.6 and 5.2-fold in Vanuatu and TCs Winston and Yasa increased tree cover loss 3.6 and 3.1-fold in Fiji. The resulting loss of carbon storage added an estimated 11-25% and 32.5% to the Vanuatu and Fiji PDNA estimated economic losses, respectively. The study makes a case for inclusion of environmental damage in both PDNA and loss and damage estimates.