Geomatics-based assessment of coastal vulnerability in Kribi (southern Cameroon)

Abstract

Located in southern Cameroon, at the bottom of the Gulf of Guinea, the Kribi coast has contributed over the years to the country's economic development (seaside tourism, mining and oil exploitation, etc.). In recent decades, the coastline has been subject to a number of stresses, such as coastal erosion. However, virtually no work has been done in this area to assess the degree of vulnerability of this coastline to erosion. The objective of this article was to assess the physical and socio-economic vulnerability of a 31.5-km stretch of the Kribi coastline using geographic information systems (GIS). The results obtained have made it possible to map the vulnerable areas on this coast. More than two-thirds (68.3%) of the Kribi coastline are highly physically vulnerable to erosion risks, consisting mainly of sandy accumulations and creeks, while nearly one-third (31.7%) of the coastline has low to moderately vulnerability, consisting of rocky promontories and rocky shores. On the other hand, more than half (58.7%) of the coastline is highly vulnerable to erosion from a socio-economic perspective, consisting mainly of densely populated urban areas with well-developed road networks and a rich heritage. More than a third (41.3%) of the coastline has low to moderate socio-economic vulnerability, consisting of areas that are difficult to access and almost unexploited. The results of this study can be used as a decision-making tool to anticipate critical areas and guide development policies for sustainable coastal management, given that an industrial and port complex is gradually being built around the deep-water port of Kribi. It also contributes to enriching the assessment techniques used to date.