| Summary: | This research focuses on applying littoral vulnerability assessment (LVA) into the coastal management process of Barbados, W. I. using a multipurpose rapid assessment technique, making the most of limited data and process knowledge. The conceptual and theoretical components of coastal vulnerability assessment set the context on which the LVA process is built. Three environmental sensitivity indices (ESIs) have been developed to using to a selection of the variables to characterise the coastline. Seventy four coastal locations are described according to the following ESIs: - Wave Exposure Index, Coastal Sensitivity Index, and Beach Aesthetic Index. These respectively represent the coastline being 92% being sheltered 64% having a high to very high sensitivity to oil pollution and 51% being of good to very good aesthetic quality Factor and cluster analyses were used to develop Coastal Vulnerability and Degree of Risk Indices. Twenty three coastal segments were analysed of which 52% were considered to be high to very highly vulnerable to erosion and potential storm wave damage. The south coast's most vulnerable locations are Casuarina, Dover and St Lawrence while west coast locations are Fitts Village, Paynes Bay and Sandy Lane. The highest degrees of risk locations identified were Casuarina, St. Lawrence. Batts Rock. Dover and Carlisle Bay. The research has also interpreted case studies using GIS and available socio economic information to quantify property vulnerability based on potential economic loss value. These results show that 88% of the coast is fully urbanized, with 63% being used in tourism infrastructure and having the greatest land value. The thesis also includes the construction of LVA profile model, which is intended to: 1) contribute to the formulation of future coastal management policies in Barbados and 2) provide an easy to implement monitoring procedure for small islands embarking on coastal management initiatives. The research demonstrates the use of scientifically valid yet inexpensive methods of quantitative shoreline monitoring and assessment, which could be of practical value in the coastal management of Small Island Developing States.
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