Table 2.
List of adaptation practices for the coastal zones.
| Adaptation practice | Scale* | Category** | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storm surge barriers | S | I | Relevant for protection against storm surge occurrences. Might be implemented at specific locations due to the high maintenance costs |
| Cliff stabilization | S/M | T | Coastal management practice should be considered for application over a long stretch of coastline. Particularly relevant for countries such as Mauritania and Ghana |
| Flood mapping/risks assessment | L/M | T | An important process to be undertaken on the scale of West Africa to ensure preparedness. Combined solutions include raising structures above floodplains and identifying properties at risk |
| Floodproofing and sheltering | L | M | |
| Drought warning system | L | T | Particularly relevant across West Africa to provide critical information to alleviate food insecurity, water resources depletion, conflicts over natural resources, loss of life (animal and human) under climate variability and change |
| Construction of dikes | S/M | I | Particularly relevant for low-lying flood-prone areas. An important option to consider in West Africa, particularly in countries where extreme wave conditions are projected |
| Construction of seawalls | S/M | I | Relevant for countering coastal flooding or recession and erosion. Particularly relevant at the regional scale with projected increases in sea level rise |
| Construction of jetties | S | I | Suitable for intercepting sediments transported alongshore. Could be implemented to mitigate channel siltation |
| Construction of groynes | L | I | The most popular method used in West Africa to mitigate coastal erosion |
| Construction of breakwaters | I | Mostly implemented in ports to reduce wave actions on ships | |
| Revetments of dikes/seawalls | S/M | T | Provide supplementary protection to existing defences such as dikes or seawall |
| Beach nourishment | S | T | Often adopted as a temporary solution. Very expensive option in the long term, which might be relevant only for extreme cases |
*Scale: S small, M medium, L large.
**Category: T technical, M management, I infrastructure/equipment.