What do barrier islands primarily help to protect against?

Barrier islands play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems by serving as a protective buffer between the open ocean and the mainland. Their primary function is to help mitigate the impact of storm surges, which are large and often destructive waves that can occur during severe weather events such as hurricanes. When a storm approaches, barrier islands can absorb and dissipate some of the energy from storm surges, reducing the height and intensity of the waves that reach the mainland. This natural protection helps reduce flooding, erosion, and damage to coastal communities and infrastructure.

While barrier islands also impact other environmental factors such as wind erosion and pollution, their foremost role is in protecting against the immediate and violent threats posed by storm surges associated with severe weather.