Coastal protection assessment: a tradeoff between ecological, social, and economic issues
Abstract Marine coastal ecosystems are crucial to human populations in reducing disaster risk. Least Developed Countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea‐level rise and storm surges. The Mauritanian coast, West Africa, ranks among the most vulnerable worldwid...
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doaj-affefbcf8c20444ca7e6dd743061e98c2021-02-25T04:16:44ZengWileyEcosphere2150-89252021-02-01122n/an/a10.1002/ecs2.3364Coastal protection assessment: a tradeoff between ecological, social, and economic issuesEwan Trégarot0Thibault Catry1Auréa Pottier2El‐Hacen M. El‐Hacen3Mohamed Ahmed Sidi Cheikh4Cindy C. Cornet5Jean‐Philippe Maréchal6Pierre Failler7Centre for Blue Governance Department of Economics and Finance Portsmouth Business School University of Portsmouth Richmond BuildingPortland Street PortsmouthPO1 3DEUKESPACE‐DEV, UMR 228 IRD/UM/UR/UG/UA Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) Montpellier FranceESPACE‐DEV, UMR 228 IRD/UM/UR/UG/UA Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) Montpellier FranceConservation Ecology Group Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen P.O. Box 11103 Groningen9700 CCThe NetherlandsConservation Ecology Group Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen P.O. Box 11103 Groningen9700 CCThe NetherlandsCentre for Blue Governance Department of Economics and Finance Portsmouth Business School University of Portsmouth Richmond BuildingPortland Street PortsmouthPO1 3DEUKNova Blue Environment 14 rue Chéry‐Rosette, Fond LahayeSchoelcher Martinique97233FranceCentre for Blue Governance Department of Economics and Finance Portsmouth Business School University of Portsmouth Richmond BuildingPortland Street PortsmouthPO1 3DEUKAbstract Marine coastal ecosystems are crucial to human populations in reducing disaster risk. Least Developed Countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea‐level rise and storm surges. The Mauritanian coast, West Africa, ranks among the most vulnerable worldwide to sea‐level rise, and coastal communities in the National Park of Banc d’Arguin (PNBA) are particularly at risk. Here, we assessed the service of coastal protection in PNBA by (1) mapping the coastal marine ecosystems with Sentinel‐2 imagery and determining their spatial wave height attenuation rates; (2) assessing the vulnerability of villages and natural habitats to coastal hazard risk; and (3) assessing the applicability of coastal protection measures in the PNBA. We found that a total of 83% of the populated coastline presents a moderate to high risk of flooding and erosion, with Iwik and R’Gueiba being the most threatened villages in the PNBA. As for the ecological risk, two low‐elevated islands, which support breeding colonies of birds, are particularly vulnerable to sea‐level rise. However, in other areas, the rupture in the dune cord created new lagoons that present valuable ecological and economic interests like the Lagoon of Bellaat. Improving the comprehension of wave attenuation provided by coastal habitats, combined with identifying the vulnerability and applicability of coastal protection measures, is essential for achieving the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction goals. In the PNBA, relocation of identified villages at risk is probably the best cost‐effective solution with the least disturbance to both breeding and wintering birds. Protection of coastal ecosystems will also ensure a continued provision of other ecosystem services, including food supply for sea dependent populations, and contribute to achieving the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3364bare mudflatscoastal protectioncoastal vulnerabilityecosystem servicesmangrovesMauritania |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Ewan Trégarot Thibault Catry Auréa Pottier El‐Hacen M. El‐Hacen Mohamed Ahmed Sidi Cheikh Cindy C. Cornet Jean‐Philippe Maréchal Pierre Failler |
spellingShingle |
Ewan Trégarot Thibault Catry Auréa Pottier El‐Hacen M. El‐Hacen Mohamed Ahmed Sidi Cheikh Cindy C. Cornet Jean‐Philippe Maréchal Pierre Failler Coastal protection assessment: a tradeoff between ecological, social, and economic issues Ecosphere bare mudflats coastal protection coastal vulnerability ecosystem services mangroves Mauritania |
author_facet |
Ewan Trégarot Thibault Catry Auréa Pottier El‐Hacen M. El‐Hacen Mohamed Ahmed Sidi Cheikh Cindy C. Cornet Jean‐Philippe Maréchal Pierre Failler |
author_sort |
Ewan Trégarot |
title |
Coastal protection assessment: a tradeoff between ecological, social, and economic issues |
title_short |
Coastal protection assessment: a tradeoff between ecological, social, and economic issues |
title_full |
Coastal protection assessment: a tradeoff between ecological, social, and economic issues |
title_fullStr |
Coastal protection assessment: a tradeoff between ecological, social, and economic issues |
title_full_unstemmed |
Coastal protection assessment: a tradeoff between ecological, social, and economic issues |
title_sort |
coastal protection assessment: a tradeoff between ecological, social, and economic issues |
publisher |
Wiley |
series |
Ecosphere |
issn |
2150-8925 |
publishDate |
2021-02-01 |
description |
Abstract Marine coastal ecosystems are crucial to human populations in reducing disaster risk. Least Developed Countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea‐level rise and storm surges. The Mauritanian coast, West Africa, ranks among the most vulnerable worldwide to sea‐level rise, and coastal communities in the National Park of Banc d’Arguin (PNBA) are particularly at risk. Here, we assessed the service of coastal protection in PNBA by (1) mapping the coastal marine ecosystems with Sentinel‐2 imagery and determining their spatial wave height attenuation rates; (2) assessing the vulnerability of villages and natural habitats to coastal hazard risk; and (3) assessing the applicability of coastal protection measures in the PNBA. We found that a total of 83% of the populated coastline presents a moderate to high risk of flooding and erosion, with Iwik and R’Gueiba being the most threatened villages in the PNBA. As for the ecological risk, two low‐elevated islands, which support breeding colonies of birds, are particularly vulnerable to sea‐level rise. However, in other areas, the rupture in the dune cord created new lagoons that present valuable ecological and economic interests like the Lagoon of Bellaat. Improving the comprehension of wave attenuation provided by coastal habitats, combined with identifying the vulnerability and applicability of coastal protection measures, is essential for achieving the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction goals. In the PNBA, relocation of identified villages at risk is probably the best cost‐effective solution with the least disturbance to both breeding and wintering birds. Protection of coastal ecosystems will also ensure a continued provision of other ecosystem services, including food supply for sea dependent populations, and contribute to achieving the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. |
topic |
bare mudflats coastal protection coastal vulnerability ecosystem services mangroves Mauritania |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3364 |
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