Coastal Vulnerability Index to Sea Level Rise in Ghana

Type Journal Article - Coastal and Marine Research
Title Coastal Vulnerability Index to Sea Level Rise in Ghana
Author(s)
Volume 2
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
Page numbers 1-7
URL http://manuscript.sciknow.org/uploads/cmr/pub/cmr_1387453545.pdf
Abstract
Coastal zones are under severe threat from sea level rise. Areas with relatively low elevations will experience either
temporal or permanent flooding, while other areas will experience increased coastal erosion. Sea level rise and other factors within the coastal environment combine to drive coastal erosion. Quantifying the risk levels of these variables enable the vulnerability index of a particular location to be estimated. This study divided the coast of Accra into three regions based on the geomorphology. Vulnerability index was estimated for the three geomorphic regions by determining their relative risk levels. The ‘square root of product mean’ (CVI5) method was adopted for this study. The results indicate that the coastal vulnerability index for the entire coast of Accra is 7.07, which falls within the medium category. The western geomorphic region is more vulnerable to sea level rise followed by the eastern and the central geomorphic regions. Inundation in the western region will result in displacement of the local population, destroy their sources of livelihood and flood the Densu wetlands – a RAMSAR site. Sustainable management strategies should be adopted by the government to manage the situation.

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