Climate change and coastal vulnerability assessment methods: A review

Abstract

Coastal and marine ecosystems have been threatened at local and global scales by multiple stressors – sea-level rise, rising temperatures, climate extreme events, biodiversity loss and habitat destruction. These stressors operating independently or synergistically could alter the ecosystem services while posing a significant threat to the environment, human lives and properties, as well as, result in biophysical and socio-economic losses. In this paper, we present an overview of the methods used in assessing coastal vulnerability of marine areas at local-global scales under chronic environmental stressors. Integrated and strategic methodologies that could identify, highlight and prioritise the vulnerable marine areas have been presented. The framework to assist coastal planners and managers in the conservation and management of vulnerable coastal regions and settlements from permanent inundation and loss have been suggested.

Coastal Vulnerability Assessment: A Case Study of the Nigerian Coastline

“…These are the Barrier-lagoon coastal complex, the Mahin transgressive mud coast, the arcuate delta, and the Strand coast [15]. The coastline zones were divided into seventeen (17) segments (as shown in Figure 1) across the geomorphic units along the coast bordering the equatorial Atlantic Ocean and the individual vulnerability variables were designated respective rank or number ranging from 1 to 5, such that 5 and 1 indicated the highest and lowest vulnerabilities, respectively. The coastal vulnerability rankings used in this study are shown in Table 1.…”

“…The coastline is low-lying [16], and it is endowed with a vulnerable mangrove system, which has depleted over time due to anthropogenic activities such as crude oil exploration, use of wood as fuel, timber, fishing, sand mining, etc. [17]. Lack of government policies that protect these vital ecosystems has contributed enormously to its destruction.…”