Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
for quality information exchange effective for informed
decision-making, including their expansion to other regions
of the African continent.
Based on the results of the investigations contained in this
topic, a number of conclusions have been reached, as follows:
• New perspectives exist to analyse coastal regions in West
and Central Africa, especially from the viewpoint of
combining functional ecology studies with a pressure/risk
assessment approach, including relevant socio-economic
aspects;
• Some original results in this topic highlight the close links
between the management and governance of such sensitive,
vulnerable estuarine systems and coastal environments;
• New elements of research methodologies and knowledge
of mangrove forests and ecosystems in Western and
Central Africa have been recognised;
• The information and data in this topic provide an
opportunity for young scientists to develop new scientific
approaches and research capabilities for analysing these
complex coastal environments, while also enhancing their
skills and building their capacities;
• On-the-ground networks have been established between
West and Central African research communities through
extensive
will help tackling the degradation of ecosystems services or
mainstreaming development and planning processes into
environmental management of coastal systems in Africa.
One particular area requiring greater attention is the
assessment of the vulnerability of estuarine ecosystems
(particularly mangrove communities and species) to climate
change. Such study can assist in determining the level of
exposure and sensitivity of populations and resources, as
well as their adaptive capacities, to climate change risks and
impacts in Western and Central Africa coastal areas.
Other areas meriting further investigations include:
• The estuarine and other coastal ecosystems with a high
economic value which fulfil functions and services
important both for biodiversity and human well-being;
• The selection of most sensitive estuarine and other
coastal ecosystems sites to be monitored and protected, in
order to better assess the state of degradation and the
biodiversity and ecosystem services upon which coastal
populations depend;
• The understanding and evolution of estuaries and other
coastal ecosystems, and their trends and anticipated
changes, including the services they provide to humans
and ecosystem maintenance;
• The ecological services and the values of estuarine and
other coastal ecosystems and their biodiversity, for sup-
porting and/or maintaining biodiversity offsets;
• The management of estuaries and coastal ecosystems
(including use of spatial planning and assessment tools)
in order to contribute to establishment of sustainable
networks of coastal and marine conservation and pro-
tected areas; and
• The status of national legislation for managing estuaries
and coastal ecosystems for sustainable use within the
networks of coastal and marine protected areas.
In conclusion, these areas are among the many examples
for developing future scientific research priorities for these
important and vulnerable aquatic ecosystems. Indeed,
estuaries and coastal ecosystems are very important for
people living near the littoral areas of West and Central
Africa. They provide food, shelter, wood and other sub-
stantial goods and services, as well as contributing to
coastal and marine biodiversity. They also are critical from
a global perspective of the earth's natural environment, in
that they were formed through strong feedback relations
between biota, human well-being, landforms, water flows
and the atmosphere. To this end, the authors hope this topic,
which is the result of extensive cooperation among many
partners, authors and editors, constitutes an important
source of documentation and information for researchers,
practitioners, scientists, students and other specialists deal-
ing with the scientific, socio-economic and governance
issues associated with sustainable use of coastal and marine
environments in the West and Central Africa region.
partnerships
along
the
western
and
central
coasts of Africa.
This publication offers a good opportunity and platform
for African scientists to publish their study results and
research findings on coastal and marine ecosystems, with
properly peer-reviewed materials that ensure the credibility
of this series.
One can ask what the perspectives in the near future are
regarding studies and research on coastal and marine eco-
systems in Western and Central Africa. There are several
answers to this question:
First, to include and reinforce a more systematically
integrated ecosystem approach in future studies directed to
estuaries and coastal areas in Africa;
Second, to use modelling tools, mapping and monitoring
for more in-depth study of estuarine environments and their
sensitivity to bio-geo-chemical and human-induced impacts
and changes; and
Third, to better identify and facilitate options for solu-
tions, based on an integrated assessment approach that
includes socio-economic tools, while also highlighting the
importance of key economic sectors, including fisheries and
critical habitats within estuaries, damming, urbanisation and
tourism, aquaculture, provision for mangrove ecosystems
goods and services and other important sources of income
for the livelihood of local populations, etc.
With this background, it is important to use the ecosys-
tem approach as a framework for such research and studies
in order to deal with the complex and dynamic nature of
ecosystems in a comprehensive and holistic manner. This