Coastal Vulnerability Assessment of Rapu-Rapu and the West Coast of Albay Province, Philippines

Coastal vulnerability assessment using the Integrated Sensitivity, Exposure, and Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (ICSEA-C-Change) tool provides a deeper understanding of the potential impacts of climate change on coastal zones. Vulnerability ratings were obtained using rubrics that were presented to the stakeholders during focused group discussions. Derived scores were then averaged and consolidated to come up with the overall vulnerability rating. These ratings were based on the resource and status of coastal habitats’ reliance on near-shore fishing and other quality measures like fisheries ecosystem dependency, population, and water quality of the coastal habitats in the barangays. Ratings resulted in identifying 12 barangays out of 23 that are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as waves, storm surges, sea level rise, increase in surface temperature, and extreme rainfall. These are Buenavista and Basicao (Pioduran), Catburawan (Ligao), Tapel, Nagas and Maramba (Oas), Talin-Talin, Pantao, Macabugos, and Tambo (Libon) and Buhatan and Villa Hermosa (Rapu-Rapu). Assessment results were highly influenced by the absence of three major marine habitats, i.e., coral reefs, seagrass/seaweeds, and mangroves in the coastal areas. Likewise, 11 barangays out of 23, which were Marigondon and Malidong (Pioduran), Maonon and Cabarian (Ligao), Badian and Cagmanaba (Oas), Apud and Rawis (Libon), and Galicia, Hamorawon, and Poblacion (Rapu-Rapu) obtained moderate vulnerability scores. This was attributed to the presence of marine habitats that although in poor state, may serve their ecological functioning when properly protected. Highly vulnerable barangays must be prioritized in coastal rehabilitation and disaster risk reduction management planning. Parameters encompassing the sensitivity and adaptive capacity of each barangay must be taken into consideration to reduce potential impacts brought by factors attributed to climate change. Vital information from the assessment will serve as basis for developing strategic plans for improving the climate change adaptation strategies of the local government units.

Study of the Coastal Vulnerability in Indramayu Regency, Indonesia

Coastal vulnerability is a condition of a coastal community or society that leads to or causes an inability to face the threat of danger.The level of vulnerability can be viewed from the physical(infrastructure),social,demographic,and economic vulnerabilities.Physical vulnerability(infrastructure)describes a physical condition(infrastructure)that is prone to certain hazard factors.The coastal vulnerability areas can also be interpreted as a condition where there is an increase in the process of damage in the coastal area which is caused by various factors such as human activities and factors from the nature.This research aims to determine the level of coastal vulnerability in Indramayu coastal Regency with a Coastal Vulnerability Assessment(CVA)analysis approach and a Geographic Information System(GIS).Mapping the status of the vulnerability level of the Indramayu coastal area using the CVA method where the index range generated from the calculation of the four physical parameters mentioned above is between 2.887-3.651 or are in moderate vulnerability.A higher vulnerability value is found in several locations such as Juntikedokan and Benda villages.It is necessary to develop coastal protection in this area to prevent damage to the coastal area.

Assessment of coastal vulnerability to environmental change in Jiangsu coastal plain

Assessment of coastal vulnerability to future environmental change has been emphasized in coastal nations or regions. The Jiangsu coastal plain, located to the north of the Yangtze River Delta in China, is most vulnerable to sea level rise and exacerbating coastal hazards. This paper develops the method of delimiting vulnerable scope and assessing coastal vulnerability through field observations and sampling and by applying remote sensing and GIS, which are suitable for great river delta and coastal plains with large area, relative complex micro-geomorphology and the protection of seawall. Applying this method, the coastal vulnerability of the Jiangsu coastal plain to relative sea level rise (approximately 50 cm up to the year 2050) and exacerbating storm surges have been assessed. The results show that, up to the year 2050, the Jiangsu coastal plain will probably lose 12.8 % of tidal flats (about 5.8x104 hm2) and 7.9 % of cultivated land (about 7.2x104 hm2). Meanwhile, 2.0 % of population, 3.8 % of original value of fixed assets, 3.2% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), 40.3 % of salt industry and 5.8 % of aquiculture respectively will be affected due to coastal environmental change.

Development of Coastal Vulnerability Index for the Kingdom of Bahrain

The CVI （coastal vulnerability index） was developed and used to assess the vulnerability of the coastline of the Kingdom of Bahrain main islands to future SLR （sea level rise）. A total of 717 km of the coastline was evaluated. Six spatial factors acting on the coastal area： erosion/accretion patterns （shoreline change）, topography （elevation above mean sea level）, geology, geomorphology, slope, and mean sea level rise were incorporated and ranked to develop the CVI. This index was classified into four levels of vulnerability： low, moderate, high, and very high. Vulnerable hotspots are located along the central portions of the western and eastern coastlines. The vulnerability of these areas is mostly driven by their characteristically shallow coastal slopes, low elevations, and erosion-prone nature of the sandy soils presents, comprising about 54 km of the studied shoreline. Another 33 km of coastline were classified as highly vulnerable and located along the eastern coast. In addition, the western coast of the southern tip of the main island （Bahrain） was also classified as a highly vulnerable shoreline. Twenty-two km was classified as the moderate vulnerable. The remaining coastal areas were classified as low to moderately vulnerable comprising about 608 km of the total length of the coastline. Identifying those hotspots susceptible to SLR is essential for more effective coastal zone management and to help in reducing the impacts of SLR on both infrastructure and human beings.

Development of an Integrated Coastal Vulnerability Index for the Ivorian Coast in West Africa

This study assesses the vulnerable state of the 566-km Ivorian coastal area using the physical (geomorphology, coastal slope, coastal retreat rate, relative sea level rise and wave/Tide energy) and socio-economic (coastal population density, harbor, airport, road, land use and protected area) factors as indicators. This enabled an Integrated Coastal Vulnerability Index to be determined for the Ivorian coastal zone. This Index could be defined as the weighted average of indexes based on physical and socio-economic factors. The study revealed that vulnerability of the western and the eastern coastlines of Cote d’Ivoire are strongly influenced by human activities, while physical forcing affects significantly the vulnerability of the central section. The relative vulnerability of the different sections depends also strongly on the geomorphology, wave energy, coastal population density and land use factors. The west and central sections of the coastline are more resilient than the eastern section when integrating physical and socio-economic factors. The Integrated Coastal Vulnerability Index, based on physical and socio-economic factors, appears to be more appropriate for coastal vulnerability assessment. These results could be useful in the development of adaptation strategies to increase the resilience of this coastal area and then extended for West Africa Coastal Areas Management.

Assessment of coastal and mangrove vulnerability in the Andaman Island,Indian Ocean

Coastal regions are highly susceptible to the effects of global warming,including rising atmospheric and sea surface temperatures,increased cyclone frequency,and sea level rise.Thus,it is imperative to examine coastal vulnerability to minimize the impact of multiple hazards and protect coastal resources,such as mangroves.Particularly in India studying the vulnerability of coastal zones of Andaman and Nicobar Islands which fall in seismic zone V is critical for conservation efforts.We conducted a vulnerability analysis of coastal zones impacted by the 2004 earthquake,causing varying degrees of ground upliftment and subsidence.We compared coastal vulnerability among sites that experienced uplift,no change,and subsidence(the southern portion).Our analysis utilized the Coastal and Mangrove Vulnerability Index(CVI and MVI)to measure and compare vulnerability in six zones distributed along uplift and subsidence gradient.High-resolution satellite imagery including WorldView-2,3,and GeoEye-1 from year 2022 are utilized on this study.The CVI and MVI offers a good way to measure and compare vulnerabilities across sites and offer insights for better management.The CVI and MVI results indicate that approximately 34%of coastal grids and over 23%of mangrove grids across all zones are highly to extremely highly vulnerable.Subsided zones were found to be more vulnerable than uplifted zones.These findings suggest that large-scale natural disturbances such as tectonic displacement have the potential to impact coastal vegetation and mangrove cover can become even more vulnerable.In conclusion,our study emphasizes the importance of vulnerability analyses in coastal regions,especially in areas prone to seismic activity.Our findings have direct implications for conservation and restoration efforts and underscore the need for continued monitoring and mitigation efforts to safeguard coastal resources for long-term sustainability.

Effect of Sea Level Rise and Groundwater Withdrawal on Seawater Intrusion in the Gulf Coast Aquifer: Implications for Agriculture

The two main factors contributing to depletion of freshwater resources are climate change and anthropological variables. This study presents statistical analyses that are local in its specifics yet global in its relevance. The decline in Gulf Coast aquifer water quality and quantity has been alarming especially with the increased demand on fresh water in neighboring non-coastal communities. This study used seawater levels, groundwater use, and well data to investigate the association of these factors on the salinity of water indicated by chloride levels. Statistical analyses were conducted pointing to the high significance of both sea water level and groundwater withdrawals to chloride concentrations. However, groundwater withdrawal had higher significance which points to the need of water management systems in order to limit groundwater use. The findings also point to the great impact of increased groundwater salinity in the Gulf Coast aquifer on agriculture and socioeconomic status of coastal communities. The high costs of desalinization point to the increased signification of water rerouting and groundwater management systems. Further investigation and actions are in dire need to manage these vulnerabilities of the coastal communities.

Adaptation Decision Support: An Application of System Dynamics Modeling in Coastal Communities

This research develops and applies a system dynamics(SD) model for the strategic evaluation of environmental adaptation options for coastal communities. The article defines and estimates asset-based measures for community vulnerability, resilience, and adaptive capacity with respect to the environmental, economic, social, and cultural pillars of the coastal community under threat. The SD model simulates the annual multidimensional dynamic impacts of severe coastal storms and storm surges on the community pillars under alternative adaptation strategies.The calculation of the quantitative measures provides valuable information for decision makers for evaluating the alternative strategies. The adaptation strategies are designed model results illustrated for the specific context of the coastal community of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The dynamic trend of the measures and model sensitivity analyses for Charlottetown—facing increased frequency of severe storms, storm surges, and sea-level rise—provide impetus for enhanced community strategic planning for the changing coastal environment.This research is presented as part of the International Community-University Research Alliance C-Change project ‘‘Managing Adaptation to Environmental Change in Coastal Communities: Canada and the Caribbean'' sponsored by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the International Development Resource Centre.