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Abstract
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) summarizes that human activities are the primary cause of global warming, leading to an increase in global surface temperature of 1.1°C above the pre-industrial period (1850-1900) between 2011 and 2020. Human-induced climate change already affects numerous extreme weather events and climate patterns worldwide. Consequently, since 2000, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, and the US Gulf Coast have witnessed an increase in tropical storm and hurricane activity attributed to global warming. In this context, this research is organized into three papers, each addressing distinct facets of widespread negative consequences to the environment and human populations in light of rising hurricane risks in the US Gulf Coast. In the first paper, I estimate the damage to urban vegetation, identify hotspots, and track changes in land cover resulting from significant hurricanes along the US Gulf Coast. Findings reveal that canopy loss and the presence of water vapor during these catastrophic hurricanes are key factors magnifying potential hotspots. The second paper delves into the comparison of aboveground carbon in different components of trees (sapling, bole, stump, top, and foliage) before (2001-2003) and after (2005-2007) Hurricane Ivan. This analysis demonstrates that hurricanes can render a substantial loss of aboveground carbon, with tree biophysical characteristics playing a pivotal role in the recovery of aboveground carbon. The third paper focuses on predicting land use changes in 2050 by taking into account the frequency of hurricanes and monitoring carbon dynamics along the Gulf Coast. Our projections indicate that, despite an anticipated increase in the frequency of hurricanes, urban and forestlands are expected to expand. Furthermore, changes in land use are set to contribute to an overall increase in carbon storage, mainly through enhanced forestland conservation efforts. The outcomes of this research provide valuable information for relevant stakeholder groups, aiding them in decision-making processes related to future land use, conservation initiatives, and the promotion of forest resiliency, ultimately contributing to the long-term sustainability of ecosystem services.