《Need for adaptation strategy against global sea level rise》.pdf

Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change DOI 10.1007/s11027-011-9346-2 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Need for adaptation strategy against global sea level rise: an example from Saudi coast of Arabian gulf D. S. Suresh Babu Siva Sivalingam Terry Machado Received: 13 August 2011 /Accepted: 30 November 2011 # Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011 Abstract This paper reports sea level rise (SLR) scenarios causing land loss, envi- ronmental degradation and destruction of infrastructure in the Saudi coast of the Arabian Gulf. Human development structures such as, sea ports, desalination plants, industrial establishments, commercial buildings, fish farms etc. will be impacted, leading to great economic losses. A systematic analysis on the current environmental setting of east coast of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) versus the existing infra- structure assets indicates that a 1 m sea level rise in Arabian Gulf affects approxi- mately 650 km2 land area, along the Saudi coastline of ~1,800 km in 1:50,000 scale. Three simulation scenarios were created with respect to 1 m, 2 m and 3 m rises from the present mean sea level and its impacts were assessed. Maps depicting major infrastructure assets, ecologically sensitive elements, historical locations, anthropogenic zones, and Environmental Sensitivity Indices (ESI) were used for overlaying the sea level change map, in a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform. In general, the Jubail Marine Park area will have serious impact due to SLR. The inundation of low– lying lands will affect the mangroves species of Dawhat Ad Dafi, coral reefs, coastal salt marshes, groundwater aquifers, and fish stocks. The risk of inundation on the Abu Ali Island, given their status as marine sanctua