Abstract
The growing economic, social and ecological importance of coastal areas in Ghana has increased the challenges associated with sustainably managing the coastal resources. The coastal areas have become more prone and vulnerable to natural and human-made hazards such as coastal erosion. Shoreline retreat is recognised as a burgeoning threat because of global climate change and other anthropogenic activities that alter the natural processes sustaining beaches and coasts. This article describes an application of Real-time Kinematic-Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS) technology and digitising of shorelines from orthophotos to detect and analyse the spatial changes as well as quantify the result of shoreline change at Glefe, a suburb of Accra in Ghana. Shoreline positions from a 2005 orthophoto and a 2011 RTK-GPS survey were overlaid in MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) and the average rate of change determined using the endpoint rate (EPR) method. The shoreline change rate determined for Glefe between 2005 and 2011 was 1.2 m/a ± 1.3 m/a, indicating a relatively high rate of erosion. Outcomes of the case study can be used as a basis for a sustainable integrated management plan for the coastal area.
Highlights
It is estimated that about 60% of the human population dwell in coastal environments (Al-Tahir & Ali 2004)
On the figure the seaward side of the beach is represented by the portion below the shoreline position and the landward side above the shoreline position
The historical shoreline obtained from the orthophoto, on the other hand, shows a shoreline with variations in morphology, indicated by the undulating shoreline position on the graph
Summary
It is estimated that about 60% of the human population dwell in coastal environments (Al-Tahir & Ali 2004). Due to increased coastal erosion as a result of high population growth (United Nations Environment Programme 1999) and other factors such as storm events, seasonal fluctuations in wave energy and changes in sea level, coastal areas are continually changing. These changes impact significantly on the coastal environment and have a tendency to result in a disaster if not properly managed. Increasing human activities within the coastal zone have exacerbated the erosion problems, resulting in about 24 locations being declared hotspot zones that need urgent attention (Nail et al 1993)
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