Evaluating the impacts of sea-level rise on the Moroccan coast: quantifying coastal erosion and inundation in a Atlantic alluvial plain (Kenitra coastal)

Abstract

As part of a broad assessment of climate change impacts in Morocco, an assessment of vulnerability and adaptation of coastal zones to sea-level rise was conducted. The Kenitra coast is socio-economically vulnerable to accelerated sea-level rise, due to its low topography and its high ecological and touristic value. In this study, the effects of future relative sea-level were evaluated for the low alluvial plain Atlantic (Kenitra coastal). This study area is potentially subject to coastal flooding due to its very low topography and because it is affected by a considerable subsidence. Using a GIS-based inundation analysis; the evolution of erosion that occurred in the study area, the potential physical vulnerability to accelerated sea-level rise was investigated, and the most vulnerable socio-economic sectors were assessed. Results indicate that 35% of the areas will be lost by flooding. In addition, the coast is progressive and regressive with an average rate at minimum (0.31 m/year) and at maximum (-2.39 m/year). Such results may help decision-makers in the implementation of preventive management strategies in the most sensitive areas.

Coastal Dam Inundation Assessment for the Yellow River Delta: Measurements, Analysis and Scenario

“…The government invests heavily in flood prevention every year [18][19][20][21], especially within the coastal zone. Therefore, inundation assessment is an important activity in terms of flood control and can aid policy makers in their formulation of reasonable measures to minimize economic losses [20,22]. In terms of geological conditions, Gudong oilfield located in the northeast of Zhanhua Sag at the Jiyang Depression, and at the southern end of the drape structure of Zhuangxi-Gudong's buried mountain drape structural belt [5][6][7][8].…”

“…The government invests heavily in flood prevention every year [18][19][20][21], especially within the coastal zone. Therefore, inundation assessment is an important activity in terms of flood control and can aid policy makers in their formulation of reasonable measures to minimize economic losses [20,22]. As a result of the overwhelming damage caused by inundation, many studies related to inundation assessment of coastal areas exist [23][24][25].…”

“…As a result of the overwhelming damage caused by inundation, many studies related to inundation assessment of coastal areas exist [23][24][25]. These studies can be roughly divided into two categories: the first is the inundation assessment of a fixed land surface with a changing sea-level [17,22,[26][27][28][29][30], which is suitable for some stable coasts; the second is the inundation assessment of a changing land surface with a changing sea-level [16,21,[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38], which is suitable for some delta regions. As a result of the overwhelming damage caused by inundation, many studies related to inundation assessment of coastal areas exist [23][24][25].…”

“…In the field of inundation assessment, sea-level change is one of the most frequently considered factors. A number of studies focus on the submerged range [52], economic losses [18,20,33] or destruction of the natural environment [3,22] caused by sea-level rise (SLR). The rising sea-level could flood coastal lowlands of China, such as the Bohai Bay, the Yangtze River delta, and the Pearl River delta, which are the most economically and socially developed regions.…”