Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
Coastal risk and vulnerability

KZN Coastal Vulnerability Index

Vulnerability relates to one's predisposition to be affected, or to be susceptible to damage. The CVI assesses the relative physical coastal vulnerability based on a set of coastal parameters which serve as indicators of vulnerability. This assessment also tries to address social, economic and ecological factors by identifying indicators and assessing them in relation to the findings of the CVI to determine which populations and associated infrastructure are potentially at risk.

Contribute Information

Need for this Coastal Vulnerability Assessment

Coastal regions around the world are increasingly becoming vulnerable to the effects of coastal erosion, extreme coastal storms and sea-level rise.


The March 2007 storm event in KZN resulted in significant damage to properties and infrastructure costing millions of rands. 
Climate change predictions are that the east coast of South Africa will be subjected to increased frequency and intensity of storms.

Aim of this Assessment

Which sections of coast are at the highest physical vulnerability to future events of this nature?


What social, economic and ecological features are potentially vulnerable?

Interpretation of the CVI


RISK


Lowest risk category - likelihood of impact or damage is lower. Physical parameters are in good condition. If developments in these areas are approved they may increase the vulnerability of these areas. New developments should be set-back appropriately so as to maintain the natural functioning of the coast.




MODERATE RISK


Sites are at higher risk than areas of Risk, but lower than areas of High Risk. Likelihood of sites being damaged is higher. Retreat and defence should be explored for existing infrastructure. New developments should be set-back sufficiently or alternative sites should be considered.


HIGH RISK


These sites are considered to be the most susceptible to the effects of erosion, sea-level rise or extreme events. Existing developments have a High likelihood of being damaged. It is recommended that the options of retreat and defence be explored. New developments should be set-back sufficiently to ensure that they are not damaged. Alternatively, new sites for the development should be considered.


Determining the Physical CVI

Data was extracted from aerial imagery and converted into a grid of 50x50m cells along the littoral active zone. Sites of known erosion were captured as a separate dataset. These results were used to inform vulnerability thresholds. Each cell was rated per parameter - in terms of its individual vulnerability based on predefined thresholds. Scoring ranged between 1 and 4 per parameter.

Five physical parameters were used:


Beach width: The wider the beach the more wave energy dissipates.


Dune width: Dune width gives an indication as to the sediment available which will buffer against erosion.


Distance to the 20m isobath: The greater the offshore distance to the 20m isobath the greater the dissipation of wave energy.


Percentage rocky outcrop: The higher the percentage the lower the erosion rate.


Width of vegetation behind the back beach: The more the vegetation, the greater the buffer against erosion. 

Physical CVI

 Physical Parameter

Extremely Low (1)

Low (2)

Moderate (3)

High (4)

Beach width

 > 150m

100 - 150m

50 - 100m

< 50m 

 Dune width

 > 150m

50 - 150m

25 - 50m

< 25m

 Distance to the 20m isobath

 > 4km

2 - 4km

1 - 2km

< 1km

Distance of veg behind back beach

 > 600m

200 - 600m

100 - 200m

< 100m

Percentage outcrop

 > 50%

20 - 50%

10 - 20%

< 10%

Rating of Indicators


Beach width, dune width and distance to the 20m isobath were considered to be the critical indicators. Cells which scored High on all these three paramaters were weighted in order to highlight the compounded risk. Due to the dynamic nature of estuaries, estuarine areas (to the 5m contour) were also weighted to highlight the sensitivity of these areas. In addition, areas of known historical erosion were considered critical and also weighted. Based on the scoring and weighting each point received a total vulnerability score (out of 32), as outlined below.

Social, Economic and Ecological Components  



  • The primary concern relates to the 23% of coast classified as High Risk.

  • The CVI identified indicator features of social, economic & ecological importance. 

  • It assessed where features are in relation to cells of High Risk.

  • Features located in or across the littoral active zone are at relatively higher risk if all, or a proportion, fall directly within a cell of High Risk.

Social, Economic and Ecological Components

Economic & commercial activities

Strategic infrastructure

Recreational areas

Subsistence sites

Ecological important areas

Residential properties

Dune Mining

Piers

Boat launch sites

Subsistence fishing site

Marine protected areas

Residential erven

Forest plantation

Roads

Fishing hot spots

Subsistence harvesting sites

Bird Sanctuary sites

Sugar cane

Railway lines

Swimming beaches

Subsistence farming areas

Turtle nesting sites

Commercial & industrial buildings

Lighthouses

Sports facilities

Estuary mouth

Commercial farms

Coastal public property

Protected areas (terrestrial)

Coastal Vunerability Index

Coastal Vunerability Index









References:







Palmer, B.J., Van der Elst, R., Mackay, F., Mather, A.A., Smith, A.M., Bundy, S.C., Thackeray, Z., Leuci, R., and Parak, O. 2011. Preliminary coastal vulnerability assessment for KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Journal of Coastal Research, 64.









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Contributors







EDTEA • ORI

















Research Funders







EDTEA • ORI

















Acknowledgements







Bronwyn Goble • Rudy van der Elst • Fiona MacKay • Andrew Mather • Alan Smith • Simon Bundy • Zain Thackeray • Rio Leuci • Omar Parak