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The Positive Effects of Hurricanes by CityTech Blogger Matthew Williams

When a hurricane is approaching, most people are only worried about getting prepared for the storm itself. Not many people think about how hurricanes can positively impact the environment. Some of the positive effects include more rainfall, seed dispersal, and habitat modification.  The heavy rainfall of a hurricane can be hazardous, but can also help average rainfall totals in the area. Hurricanes can also aid the spread of seeds in large and small plants in the area. They could also rearrange ecological areas for the betterment of the life around it. It could potentially improve crop growth and “clean” out waterways.

Photo Credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

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4 Responses

  1. It is true that we tend to worry about the amount of destruction that comes with Hurricanes; I never personally that they had any benefits. After reading your post, I did a bit of research and found that there a couple more things that are beneficial which include breaking up bacteria and red tide, and providing a global heat balance. Ill leave a link to the article below.
    https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/hurricane-landfall-benefits-2016

    1. Thanks for your comment, Bukadiri. It does help to keep an open mind about the effects of all sorts of weather. Thanks also for the link at weather.com. A useful site in general

  2. Hurricanes! Never thought about it in that sort of way, that something good would come out of all the high winds and heavy rain, even the flooding. I guest that natures way in helping us clean up some of our human endeavor in polluting the earth. Well I guest, there is a little good that comes with all the destruction Hurricanes leave us with. Thanks Matthew

    1. Hi Matthew. that’s an interesting way to look at it and gives hurricanes a more positive spin, which is one that is rare. thanks for commenting

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