Coastal Forest Buffer Zones and Shoreline Change in Zanzibar, Tanzania: Practical Measures for Climate Adaptation?

Abstract

Coastal environments worldwide are going to be affected by climate change impacts in the future. These environments are densely populated especially in Africa and thus such impacts as rising sea level, increase in extreme storms and natural hazards, will have a bearing on local, regional and national levels. This research looks at environmental change, both past and current, on the east coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania in terms of the implications of sea level rise, extreme storms and the current vulnerability of coastal settlements. Current vulnerabilities in the area relate to deforestation, coastal erosion, and differential access to and ownership of natural resources. The creation and strengthening of coastal forest buffer zones is one of the suggested approaches for proactive adaptation, which aims to increase the resilience of the natural environment, while producing multiple benefits for multiple stakeholders. The study suggests that anticipatory adaptation needs to be first and foremost incorporated into the local realities in order to be effective and valued. Considering and understanding the value judgements and existing priorities among multiple stakeholders is crucial since otherwise adaptation efforts will remain conflicting and separate processes.