Coastal vulnerability assessment of the West African coast to flooding and erosion

Abstract

Global coastal areas are at risk due to geomorphological issues, climate change-induced sea-level rise, and increasing human population, settlements, and socioeconomic activities. Here, the study examines the vulnerability of the West African (WA) coast using six satellite-derived geophysical variables and two key socioeconomic parameters as indicators of coastal vulnerability index (CVI). These geophysical and socioeconomic variables are integrated to develop a CVI for the WA coast. Then, the regional hotspots of vulnerability with the main indicators that could influence how the WA coast behaves and can be managed are identified. The results indicate that 64, 17 and 19% of WA coastal areas had high to very high CVI, moderate CVI, and low to very low CVI, respectively. The study reveals that while geophysical variables contribute to coastal vulnerability in WA, socioeconomic factors, particularly high population growth and unsustainable human development at the coast, play a considerably larger role. Some sections of the WA coast are more vulnerable and exposed than others, particularly those in the region's northwestern and Gulf of Guinea regions. Climate change and human presence may amplify the vulnerability in these vulnerable areas in the future. Hence, future coastal economic development plans should be based on a deep understanding of local natural conditions, resource status, and geophysical parameters to prevent negative coastal ecosystem transformation. It is also essential to establish a coastal management plan that would facilitate the development of desired actions and stimulate sustainable management of West African coastal areas.

Long-Term Evolution of Significant Wave Height in the Eastern Tropical Atlantic between 1940 and 2022 Using the ERA5 Dataset

“…This could lead to an increase in coastal hazards and vulnerabilities of coastal communities in the near future. Wave climate is one of the major factors upon which a recent assessment of West Africa's coastal physical vulnerability was based [1]. Increasing wave heights indicate the propagation of more energetic waves into the ETA and an attendant increase in coastal erosion rates.…”

“…Waves are a primary concern in most ocean and coastal processes. They significantly impact coastal and offshore infrastructure and enterprises, including the design and operation of structures, vessel routing, coastal hazard assessment and mitigation [1], and sediment transport processes [2]. These applications are relevant to the western coast of Africa in the same way as they are to other oceanic locations, necessitating a continual evaluation of wave characteristics and their evolution over time.…”

Utilization of CO2-captured poly(allylamine) as a polymer surfactant for nanoarchitecture production in a closed CO2 cycle

“…3 These frequent wildfires have further increased CO 2 emissions, creating a vicious cycle of warming. A rise in ocean temperatures has caused sea levels to rise by melting ice sheets, 4–7 resulting in the reduction of terrestrial habitats 8,9 and changes in marine ecosystems. 10–13 These environmental changes have led to significant losses in biodiversity 13,14 and impacts on the global economy.…”