Sustainable Coastal Development Research Articles

TRANSFORMATIVE ELEMENTS OF TANJUNG BUMI BANGKALAN COASTAL AREA ARCHITECTURE

Indonesia is an archipelago country that is rich in traditional architecture. Natural disasters and the effect of globalization can make traditional architecture vulnerable. However, resilient and sustainable coastal area reconstruction can protect valuable assets for the development of the affected area. One of the principles of sustainable coastal development is to maintain a historical identity. Therefore, the image of a coastal city needs to consider and improve its identity based on the local culture. Traditional architecture, which is an expression of the traditions and culture of its people, has the potential to be developed into contemporary architecture. The Tanjung Bumi coastal area has an interesting traditional Tanean Lanjang architecture. This study aimed to identify transformative elements of Tanean Lanjang architecture within the coastal area of Tanjung Bumi so that it can be used as a basis for presenting contemporary architecture and maintaining the continuity of traditional architecture. This research is descriptive, with qualitative methods that explore the transformative elements of Tanjung Bumi Bangkalan coastal area architecture. Transformative elements that were identified included the existence of a multifunctional long yard, a rectangular house, the shape and layout of the Langgar, a porch, and columns.

An advanced GIS based approach for the assessment of coastal inundation in the storm surge region (Krishna District) of Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

Climate change leads coastal areas to suffer from rising sea levels, flooding, storm surges and cyclones which can cause irreparable harm to people and their assets. The mapping of these alterations to the coastline can assist in sustainable coastal development and surveillance. The current research emphasized the susceptibility of coastal inundation in the Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh, which is the State’s most vulnerable place to flooding and cyclonic storms. The Indian Meteorological Department website (mausam.imd.gov.in) was accessed to get latitudinal and longitudinal data on cyclonic storms that hit the area recently. The satellite imagery was acquired from Google Earth and USGS (earthexplorer.usgs.gov) to map the coastal settlements within 25 km radius of the coastline and to generate Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to identify the coastal inundation vulnerability up to 5.0 M contour elevation (2m, 3m, 4m and 5m). According to findings, there was a small impact of coastal inundation up to 4 meter sea level rise, so the research primarily concentrated on the assessment of coastal inundation with 5 meter sea level rise. A total of 512 settlements studied for coastal inundation encompassed an area of about 11405.4 hectares. The DEM identified that a large number of settlements in the Krishna District are on the verge of coastal inundation. About 125 settlements (24.5% settlements) with an area of approximately 2099.5 hectares are most vulnerable to coastal submergence, accounting for 18.5% of the studied area. This damage exposure assessment helps local government and policymakers to counteract extreme inundation events.

Coastal vulnerability assessment to multi hazards in the exposed coast of Southeastern Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a maritime nation situated on the northern side of the Bay of Bengal (BoB), blessed with substantial natural resources and opportunities. However, natural disasters and climate-induced hazards are threatening these opportunities as well as destroying the recourses. Coastal vulnerability assessment aids in the prevention of loss of life and resource devastation since it provides forewarning of impending calamitous consequences and facilitates taking mitigative measures. The study has endeavored to make a composite coastal vulnerability index (CVI) for the exposed coast of the southeastern coastal region of Bangladesh, combining physical and social vulnerability indexes using several physical and social parameters. The CVI was developed by using nine physical parameters, namely (a) Coastal Elevation, (b) Coastal Slope, (c) Annual Average Rainfall, (d) Storm Surge Height, (e) Soil Salinity, (f) Average Wind Speed, (g) Rate of SLR, (h) Soil Permeability, (i) Mean Tidal Range and six social parameters namely (a) Literacy rate, (b) Household Structure, (c) Land Use Land Cover (LULC), (d) Population Density (e) Number of Disabled People and (f) Number of Population (Age: <5 & >65). With the aid of field and secondary data, thematic layers of each physical and social parameter were prepared by defining five distinct vulnerability classes (i.e., very high, high, moderate, low, and very low) and assigning vulnerability ranks. The final CVI was estimated using geospatial techniques such as GIS and remote sensing, coupled with Physical Vulnerability Index (PVI) and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), and relevant values were categorized into five distinct groups as before. The findings show that 25.9% of the exposed coast in the southeast coastal region, which comprises Banshkhali, Chakaria, Maheshkhali, and Cox's Bazar Sadar is high to very high vulnerable to multiple hazards. Comparatively, 28.29% have been classified as moderately vulnerable, and the remaining 45.8% in the areas of Hathazari, Mirsharai, Sitakunda, Sandwip, and Chittagong City (Kotwali), Kutubdia show that they are very low to low vulnerable to such multi-hazards. Based on this vulnerability assessment result, sustainable coastal management policy-making and development planning can be taken to mitigate the risk and loss of the southeastern coastal region due to climatic hazards and natural disasters such as floods and storm surges. The outcome information will also help to make an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plan for the proper and sustainable utilization of the coastal resources. Additionally, it will assist as ground information to establish a framework for prioritizing community resilience-building initiatives or developing appropriate adaptation strategies to lower catastrophe risk.

Land-use problem and controling for sustainable coastal development in South Bali

Land-use problem and controling for sustainable coastal development in South Bali

The Potential of Landsat 8 OLI Images in Coastline Identification: The Case Study of Basra, Iraq

Coastline extraction plays important functions in coastal resource management, natural resource preservation, and sustainable coastal development. Long-term records of Landsat data series are available for free downloading, being highly potential for coastline extraction. Furthermore, remote sensing imagery systems along with the application of digital image processing techniques can be utilized in coastline extraction. However, it is challenging to accurately extract coastlines with coarse spatial resolution due to the dynamic properties of various types of coastlines produced by sea-level changes from tides and storms. Moreover, the use of conventional surveys and the need for high-resolution images involve substantial costs and efforts, especially when coastlines of long distances are involved. The current study compared the accuracy of extracting coastlines from Landsat 8 OLI with the observed coastlines from GPS data. In particular, this study focused on distinguishing water areas from non-water areas on the coastline of a selected concrete port. The analysis involved the use of both MNDWI and NDWI indexes. The statistical results demonstrated the accuracy of MNDWI (RMSE of 2.363) and NDWI (RMSE of 2.491 m), which suggested the potential of using Landsat 8 OLI in coastline identification.

Improved indicators for the integrated assessment of coastal sustainable development based on Earth Observation Data

ABSTRACT Target 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14) depicts a better future regarding the capacity of coastal environments to cope with several developmental challenges. However, gaps in the data and indicators restrict the effective implementation of this global plan. In this context, under the umbrella of the Digital Belt and Road (DBAR) Program, the DBAR_COAST working group (WG) aims to solve the problems of coastal sustainable development along the Maritime Silk Road (MSR). This paper demonstrates the recent efforts of the DBAR_COAST WG to develop indicators based on Earth observation (EO) data (i.e. the natural coastal protection index (NCPI), the local proportion of habitats protected index (LPHPI), and the coastal eco-erosion index (CEEI)), which complement the existing indicators related to SDGs 14.2, 14.5 and 14.7. These indicators all satisfy indicative, robust, scientifically sound and accessible data principles. Based on them, both the coastal protection (NCPI = 0.97) and protected area coverage (LPHPI = 0.38) in the MSR still had much room for improvement in 2020, and pressure from aquaculture expansion (CEEI = 0.11) showed significant regionally spatial heterogeneity. These indicators serve to provide a guideline for indicator-based assessment in monitoring the progress toward achieving SDG 14.

Spatio-temporal coupling analysis and tipping points detection of China's coastal integrated land-human activity-ocean system

The coastal zone is typically highly developed and its ocean environment is vastly exposed to the onshore activities. Land-based pollution, as the “metabolite” of terrestrial human activities, significantly impacts the ocean environment. Although numerous studies have investigated these effects, few have quantified the interactions among land-human activity-ocean across both spatial and temporal scales. In this study, we have developed a land-human activity-ocean systemic framework integrating the coupling coordination degree model and tipping point to quantify the spatiotemporal dynamic interaction mechanism among the land-based pollution, human activities, and ocean environment in China from 2001 to 2020. Our findings revealed that the overall coupling coordination degree of the China's coastal zone increased by 36.9 % over last two decades. Furthermore, the effect of human activities on China's coastal environment remained within acceptable thresholds, as no universal tipping points for coastal pollution or ocean environment has been found over the 20-year period. Notably, the lag time for algal blooms, the key indicator of ocean environment health, was found to be 0–3 years in response to the land economic development and 0–4 years in response to land-based pollution. Based on the differences in spatiotemporal interactions among land-human activity-ocean system, we employed cluster analysis to categorize China's coastal provinces into four types and to develop appropriate management measures. Quantifying the interaction mechanism within the land-human activity-ocean system could aid decision-makers in creating sustainable coastal development strategies. This enables efficient use of land and ocean resources, supports coastal conservation and restoration efforts, and fosters effective management recommendations to enhance coastal sustainability and resilience.

Spatio-temporal analysis of shoreline changes and future forecast using remote sensing, GIS and kalman filter model: A case study of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Shoreline changes embrace alterations due to the physical features and location of the land-water boundary, which can arise from natural or human causes. Natural processes, like sea level fluctuations, erosion, and sediment deposition, impact coasts. Human activities also significantly influence shoreline changes. The study area's shoreline extends 59.80 km from Reduto de Sao Teodosio to Barra de Guaratiba. The study analyzed shoreline changes along a 60 km stretch of the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro (Reduto de Sao Teodosio to Barra de Guaratiba) from 1986 to 2018. This study examines historical shoreline positions, calculating change rates and predicting 2032 and 2042 positions using satellite imagery spanning 1972–2022. The historical shoreline was reconstructed using earlier satellite data. Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) tools (EPR, LRR, NSM) in ArcMap were then used to quantify change rates statistically. The EPR model reports a maximum annual accretion rate of 19.33 m and a maximum erosion rate of −4.91 m, while the LRR model indicates a maximum accretion rate of 21.31 m and a maximum erosion rate of −5.04 m. In contrast, the NSM model calculates a notably higher maximum accretion rate of 945.96 m and a much more substantial maximum erosion rate of −240.34 m. These findings informed the mapping of anticipated 2032 and 2042 shorelines, helping identify areas of gain and loss, highlighting the vulnerability of certain regions. It's important to note that human activities, such as alterations in beach topography, can influence these models. Protective measures, like those in Rio de Janeiro, Barra Da Tijuca, and Recreio Dos Bandeirantes, may affect erosion and accretion patterns. Additionally, coastal development activities, including seawall dredging, can disrupt natural processes. Effective management of shoreline changes is essential to safeguard ecosystems and communities, with strategies encompassing beach nourishment, vegetation restoration, and sustainable coastal development. Resilient, adaptive coastal management balances human needs and environmental protection amid ongoing changes.

Advancing the initiatives of sustainable coastal and marine areas development in Pakistan through marine spatial planning

Coastal states are currently transitioning their traditional socio-economic activities into a single platform to address the emerging issues of the coast and marine environment. For countries like Pakistan, managing multiple coastal and marine activities is a significant challenge. The lack of proper management policies and an inefficient decision-making process put various types of pressure on the ecological functions of Pakistan's coastal and marine areas. The Government of Pakistan has not yet prioritized coastal and marine affairs in its policy agenda, resulting in a halt to the process of sustainable development. Moreover, a lack of financial allocation for large-scale coastal and marine projects, a shortage of trained human resources, insufficient coordination among organizations, and unstable political decisions and governance impede the sustainable delivery of the projects. This paper discusses Pakistan's coastal and marine policy targets and highlights various issues through PESTLE analysis, which encompasses political (P), economic (E), social (S), technological (T), legal (L), and environmental (E) factors that limit the advancement of sustainable coastal and marine development. This paper aims to determine the advantages of adopting marine spatial planning (MSP) in Pakistan and how its implementation can bring social, ecological, and economic prosperity. The study provides a baseline for the country's coastal and marine policymakers regarding the advancement of a blue economy through MSP.

EXPANDING COASTSAT SHORELINE DETECTION ALGORITHM TO TRACK COASTAL VEGETATION AND URBAN CHARACTERISTICS FROM SATELLITE DATA

Classical survey methods involve making in situ measurements of shoreline locations, which can never scale to the time spans and spatial extent necessary to cover large coastal areas. For 50 years now, satellites have provided images of the earth with reasonable resolution that can provide some insight into shoreline evolution over large timescales and wide areas. Determining shoreline location from satellite imagery involves a general pipeline of image pre-processing, segmentation of the image into water and beach, and then determination of the shoreline location. The goal of the research here is to expand the capabilities of CoastSat to include identification of coastal vegetation and tracking of vegetated shoreline evolution. Accurate measurements of coastal vegetation extent and evolution from satellites may help our understanding of the health of shoreline ecosystems as sea levels rise and storms become more intense. Shoreline trends observed from satellite imagery will provide information to coastal communities that can be used for effective spatial planning, sustainable coastal development, coastal engineering projects, and mitigation of climate change impacts.

Monitoring temporal changes in coastal mangroves to understand the impacts of climate change: Red Sea, Egypt

This paper focuses on the current state of mangroves in Egypt, analyses how climate change is affecting mangrove forests and suggests a conservation strategy to safeguard this valuable maritime resource. Mangroves in Egypt are primarily found in regions around the Red Sea, making them popular for ecotourism across the globe. A crucial breeding and feeding ground for many commercial fishery species, mangroves are a maritime habitat that is both economically and environmentally significant and a variety of living things call them home. Mangroves are one of the most threatened tropical and subtropical ecoregions in the world. These threats come from both natural and human sources, including oil spills, human waste runoff, herbicide use, and coastal development, all of which have the potential to harm the environment. Mangrove habitats are immediately impacted by salinity changes and rising sea levels brought on by climate change. This is unfortunate as mangroves are one of the most important global carbon sinks, and their loss due to climate change may accelerate sea level rise and ocean acidification, which will cause the extinction of numerous commercial fish species. A conservation strategy should be implemented to safeguard the mangroves around the Egyptian Red Sea by using mitigation techniques, creating marine protected zones near the mangroves, and consulting the owners of the mangrove stalks. Analysis of multi-temporal satellite imagery is one of the most significant methods to assist decision-makers and environmental planners in obtaining high-precision information about environmental and climatic changes. Analysis of satellite imagery is a valuable way to detect, monitor, assess and map the environmental, human, and natural activities that are threatening the growth of the mangrove forest ecosystem. Change detection analyses using satellite imagery were conducted to evaluate the effects of rapid coastal sustainable development, including human urban and tourism activities; the decline and destruction of large areas of the mangrove forest for animal feeding along camel trade roads; and the threat of natural impacts such as flash flooding, coastal and soil erosion or human impacts such as established desalination plants and other human activities along the coastal zone of the Egyptian Red Sea.

Movement, ranging patterns and habitat use of Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in the Langkawi Archipelago and adjacent Perlis‐Kedah coastal waters, Malaysia

Abstract1. Studies on the ranging patterns and habitat use of Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in Southeast Asia are scarce but essential to inform conservation and management of a species known to be susceptible to anthropogenic pressures.2. This study is the first to investigate the long‐term movement, range sizes and habitat use of humpback dolphins in the Langkawi Archipelago and adjacent Perlis‐Kedah mainland coast of Malaysia using boat‐based photo‐identification surveys conducted between 2010 and 2020.3. A total of 669 humpback dolphin individuals were identified, making it one of the largest photo‐ID catalogues within their geographic range. Lagged identification rates suggested that some individuals maintained long‐term site fidelity in the study area.4. Low transition probabilities and 194 photo‐identification matches revealed humpback dolphins moved minimally between Langkawi and the adjacent Perlis‐Kedah mainland; however, most southward dolphin movements did not extend beyond Kuala Jerlun in northern Kedah.5. The mean range sizes estimated for 16 regularly sighted individuals through minimum convex polygon and kernel density estimate 95% utilization distribution were significantly different, at 338.2 ± 183.8 and 75.6 ± 28.6 km2, respectively.6. Most individual and population core areas (i.e. kernel density estimate 50% utilization distribution) overlapped with core feeding and nursery grounds in shallow coastal and estuarine waters (i.e. &lt;10 m deep and &lt;1.3 km from the coastline).7. Dolphin range size and spatial use patterns were probably linked to prey distribution and availability (i.e. influenced by environmental factors such as habitat features) and social groupings and dynamics.8. These findings inform science‐based recommendations for habitat management, including implementing restricted areas from coastal development, vessel speed‐limit zones and boating codes‐of‐conduct, to minimize anthropogenic impacts and support sustainable coastal development in the binational Satun‐Langkawi Important Marine Mammal Area.

Pb and O isotopic characteristics of single minerals in the Jianggang radial sand ridges of the southwestern Yellow Sea: Implications for provenance and pathways of silt-size sediments

Understanding the sediment provenance of the Jianggang radial sand ridges (RSRs) along the Jiangsu coast in the southwestern Yellow Sea is crucial for sustainable coastal development and land resource management. In this study, the provenance and transport patterns of silt-size sediments in the Jianggang RSRs were explored using Quartz oxygen (O) and K-feldspar lead (Pb) isotopic compositions and their large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) concentrations. The Pb-O isotopic compositions and concentrations of most LILEs in RSRs sediments were between those of the Yangtze River Mouth (YTZ), Old Yellow River Delta (OYR), and Modern Yellow River Mouth (MYR). The Pb-O isotopic compositions and typical elemental ratios were similar between the onshore and northwest offshore RSRs sediments, implying shoreward transport of offshore silt-size sediments. Through multidimensional scaling and graphic methods, it was found that the sediments of onshore and offshore RSRs originate mainly from the YTZ and OYR. Furthermore, the MixSIAR model showed that the contributions of the YTZ to onshore and offshore RSRs reached 33 ± 4 % and 36 ± 3 %, respectively. Followed by the OYR with contributions of 36 ± 3 % and 25 ± 8 %, respectively, and the contributions of the MYR and Korean Peninsula were <21 % and 8 %, respectively. Meanwhile, contributions from the Northern Chinese Deserts (approximately 10 %) deserved attention. Through the distribution of indicators, the transport patterns of silt-size sediments were proposed and compared with those of other fractions for the first time. According to the correlation analysis, the change in the area of central Jiangsu coast was mostly affected by terrestrial river supply and coastal mariculture. Therefore, it was necessary to control the scale of river reservoir construction and strengthen mariculture for sustainable land development and management. In future, comprehensive interdisciplinary and large temporal–spatial scales are suggested to further understand the coastal development.

Risk assessment of coral reef vulnerability to climate change and stressors in tropical islands: The case of Mauritius

Coral reefs play a critical role in the socio-economic development of oceanic islands, besides offering coastal protection against the destructive forces of the sea under storm conditions. A Multi-Criteria Decision Making-based geospatial model is used which combine highly influential climatic, ecological, and anthropogenic reef degradation factors in view of revealing regions of high coral reef vulnerabilities to inform ecosystems conservation and management. Further investigation of the coastal seawater temperature trend revealed a rise in sea surface temperature approximating 0.66 °C over the 2003–2020 period as compared to the 1985–2003 interval, with a decadal temperature rise of 0.16 °C reported to be higher than the global average. The bleaching threshold in the region is frequently exceeded during the postmillennial period, further reducing coral fitness. Finally, management strategies are proposed here, which include the adequate design of Marine Protected Area networks, and the implementation of policy strategies for fertilizer use, sustainable coastal development projects, and control of reef predator population. The insights in this paper are expected to be applicable in the reef management of other oceanic islands.

Assessment of coastal sustainable development along the maritime silk road using an integrated natural-economic-social (NES) ecosystem

Understanding spatial change and its driving factors behind coastal development is essential for coastal management and restoration. There is an urgent need for quantitative assessments of sustainable development in the coastal ecosystems that are most affected by anthropogenic activities and climate change. This study built a theme-based evaluation methodology with the Natural-Economic-Social (NES) complex ecosystem and proposed an evaluation system of coastal sustainable development (CSD) to understand the complex interactions between coastal ecosystems and anthropogenic activities. The approach revealed the levels of coastal natural, economic, and social sustainable development in the countries along the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) from 2010 to 2020. The results showed (1) a decreasing trend for coastal sustainable development between 2010 and 2015 and a rapid increasing trend between 2015 and 2020; (2) spatially varied CSD, with higher levels in Europe and Southeast Asia and lower levels in South and West Asia and North Africa; and (3) a strong influence on CSD by a combination of economic and social factors and relatively little influence by natural factors. The study further assessed the natural, economic, and social development scores for 41 countries and compared them with the mean scores (MSR) to classify coastal development patterns into three stages (favorable, transitional, and unfavorable). Finally, in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the study highlighted the importance of more refined global indicators for CSD assessments.

Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Erosion and Sustainable Mitigation Strategies in Australia

Purpose: This study examines the impact of climate change on coastal erosion and sustainable mitigation strategies in Australia.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low-cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.&#x0D; Results: The literature review and research findings reveal that climate change is causing significant impacts on Australia's coastal areas, including increased erosion rates, loss of beaches and dunes, damage to infrastructure and property, and loss of habitat for coastal ecosystems. The impacts are projected to intensify in the future due to rising sea levels, changing storm patterns, and other climate-related factors. The study identifies a range of sustainable mitigation measures to address coastal erosion, including coastal protection structures (e.g., seawalls, breakwaters), beach nourishment, dune restoration, setback policies, ecosystem-based approaches, and community engagement. The research also emphasizes the importance of integrated coastal management, adaptive planning, and stakeholder involvement in developing and implementing effective mitigation strategies.&#x0D; Recommendations: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of climate change on coastal erosion in Australia and identifies sustainable mitigation strategies to address the issue. The research offers valuable insights into the interactions between climate change, coastal erosion, and human activities in the Australian context. The findings contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of coastal management, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. The study has practical implications for policymakers, coastal managers, and communities in Australia and other coastal regions, providing evidence-based recommendations for mitigating the impacts of climate change on coastal erosion and fostering sustainable coastal development&#x0D;  

Conservation of Marine Resources and Sustainable Coastal Community Development in Malaysia by Muhammad Mehedi Masud

Conservation of Marine Resources and Sustainable Coastal Community Development in Malaysia by Muhammad Mehedi Masud

Assessment of the Future Changes in the Socio-Economic Vulnerability of China’s Coastal Areas

China’s coastal areas are under serious threat of continued sea-level rise, and sustainable coastal development is closely linked to changes in socio-economic vulnerability. To this end, based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change framework of shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs), this study constructed a system of indicators to assess the socio-economic vulnerability of China’s coastal areas in 2030, 2050, and 2100 under low, medium, and high greenhouse gas emission scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5, respectively). The results showed the following: (1) the vulnerability of China’s coastal provinces, cities, and counties shows an upward trend (ranked SSP5-8.5 &gt; SSP2-4.5 &gt; SSP1-2.6), which is mainly attributed to a continued increase in the exposure of socio-economic systems to sea-level rise and differences in the age structure of the population within the study regions; and (2) areas with higher vulnerability are concentrated in economically developed coastal areas, such as the Bohai Bay Rim and the Yangtze River Delta, Jiangsu, and Pearl River Delta regions, owing to their high proportions of low-lying land, long coastlines, and dense residential areas associated with economic development. Based on these results, climate-resilient solutions are needed to improve socio-economic adaptations for ongoing climate change in China’s coastal areas.

Nature-based solutions for coastal resilience in South Africa

ABSTRACT Coastlines globally are sensitive to the effects of sea-level rise, increased coastal storminess and changes in coastal sediment supply and sediment dynamics in the Anthropocene. Coastlines are also influenced by land use change, urbanization and development of built infrastructure. These changes can affect the dynamics of coastal landforms, weaken coastal resilience and make coasts more sensitive to climate hazards. This study critically examines the properties of coastlines that contribute to coastal biophysical resilience in South Africa, highlighting their relativerates of change and dynamic behaviour in response to physical and human forcing factors. Coastal landforms can be considered as ‘green infrastructure’ that can buffer the effects of climate change as well as providing ecosystem and environmental services in their own right. Viewing coastal landforms as green infrastructure provides a ‘nature-based solution’ to mitigate against climate change impacts that can work with – not against – the natural geomorphic, sedimentary and ecological processes of coastlines. Coastal landforms can also contribute to socioecological resilience, where they provide environmental and ecosystem services. The green infrastructure approach to coastal resilience has not been well developed in South Africa but is more effective in supporting coastal sustainable development.

New insight into blue carbon stocks and natural-human drivers under reclamation history districts for sustainable coastal development: A case study from Liaohe River Delta, China

Blue carbon is a vital aspect of climate change mitigation, which necessitates the identification of stocks and drivers for implementing mitigation strategies. However, reclamation may be among the most invasive forms, and the question of its influence has not been addressed well in blue carbon research. Therefore, the effects of reclamation on carbon stocks and the interaction of crucial drivers from reclamation time areas (1930s, 1960s, 1990s) were evaluated in the Liaohe River Delta (LRD) and compared with natural reserves (core, buffer, experimental areas). Carbon stocks based on InVEST model were lower than preexisting conditions (1.930 × 106 Mg-1.893 × 106 Mg). One-way Analysis of Variance showed that average carbon stocks accumulated 55 years after reclamation and reached the lowest value (13.19 Mg·ha−1) in 85 years. The interaction analysis of dominant drivers affecting carbon showed the difference between reclaimed areas and reserves regarding potential effect pathways. In the 1930s and 1960s reclamation time areas, crop yield and industrial output determined blue carbon by changing NO3−-N and AP. In the 1990s reclamation time area, population density played an important role. In defining the impact of vegetation cover on carbon within the reserves, the distance to the coast and residence were significant factors. This study demonstrated that coastal management practices, such as the size of industry and population control and the balanced fertilization techniques in reclamation areas, maintaining adequate vegetation cover in reserve, played a crucial role in the improvement of blue carbon sinks.