Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The Western and Central Africa Land-Sea
Interface: A Vulnerable, Threatened,
and Important Coastal Zone Within
a Changing Environment
S. Diop, J. Fabres, R. Pravettoni, J.-P. Barusseau, C. Descamps,
and J.-P. Ducrotoy
Abstract
The primary objective of this topic, focusing on Western and Central African coastal areas, is
to provide up-to-date scientific information and discuss quantitative data about selected
estuaries and coastal ecosystems. As a volume of the series ''Estuaries of the World''
(EOTW), it is aiming at offering a better understanding of Land-Ocean Interactions in the
Coastal Zone (LOICZ) in this region, including processes, functioning, and impacts in a
changing environment. Although it focuses on estuarine and related coastal ecosystems, it
includes consideration of the freshwater systems that feed these coastal environments.
Indeed, the importance of the Western and Central African coastal areas cannot be
overemphasized, with regard to both human and ecosystem needs, and watersheds have to be
considered as influencing them directly and indirectly. Moreover, this up-to-date information
and data discuss estuaries, deltas, and coastal lagoons, as well as their recent changes and
evolution, and the implications of these changes in regard to managing these coastal waters.
The content of this topic also contributes to the global research analysis and synthesis agenda
of the LOICZ especially on its primary focus related to river mouth systems, including
estuaries and deltas. This topic illustrates several themes organized around the concept of
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