Abstract
This paper reports sea level rise (SLR) scenarios causing land loss, environmental 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 infrastructure assets indicates that a 1 m sea level rise in Arabian Gulf affects approximately 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 sanctuary of international importance, is particularly high. As an adaptation strategy, it is proposed that the KSA should implement Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZMP) for the Arabian Gulf coast without further delay for the protection of its vulnerable resources and for sustainable development.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al Salem (2009) 2D Hydrodynamic’s Prediction for Arabian Gulf Water, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. http://www.hceatkuwait.net/web_pas/web-KGulf/KGulf_report.pdf. Cited on 28 Nov 2011
Al Zawad Faisal Makki (2009) Impact of climate change on evaporation, surface runoff and soil moisture on a regional scale in Saudi Arabia. MS Dissertation, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Aramco (2009) Arabian Gulf daily high and low waters tide calendar graphs, Saudi Aramco, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Ayhan, M. E., & Alothman, A. (2009). Sea level rise within the western Arabian Gulf using tide gauge and continuous GPS measurements. Geophys Res Abs, 11, EGU General Assembly: 6006–1
Bruun P (1962) Sea Level Rise as a Cause of Shore Erosion. Journal of the Waterways and Harbors Division 88(WW1):117–130
Church JA, Gregory JM, Huybrechts P, Kuhn M, Lambeck K, Nhuan MT, Qin D, Woodworth PL (2001) Changes in sea level. In: Houghton JT, Ding Y, Griggs DJ, Noguer M, van der Linden PJ, Xiaosu D (eds) (2001) Climate Change-The Scientific Basis. Contribution of working group I to the third assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, London, pp639–693
Coastal Zone Management Act (1972). http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/czm/ czm_act.html. Cited 28 Nov 2011
CSIRO (2011) Historical Sea level Changes. http://www.cmar.csiro.au/sealevel/sl_hist_last_15.html Cited 28 Nov 2011
Cubasch, U., Meehl, G. A., Boer, G. J., Stouffer, R. J., Dix, M., Noda, A., et al. (2001). Projections of future climate change. In: In: Houghton JT, Ding Y, Griggs DJ, Noguer M, van der Linden PJ, Dai X, Maskell K, Johnson CA (Eds) (2001) Contribution of working group I to the third assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, London, pp525–582.
Dasgupta Susmita, Benoit Laplante, Siobhan Murray, David Wheeler (2009) Sea-level rise and storm surges: A comparative analysis of impacts in developing countries. Policy Research Working Paper 4901. UNDP Water Resources Development 16(3):369–390
Dasgupta, S., et al. (2007). The impact of sea level rise on developing countries. A comparative analysis. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 4136
Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Guidelines Version 3.0 (2002) Office of Response and Restoration, NOAA Ocean Service, Seattle, Washington, USA. http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/book_shelf/873_guidelines.pdf cited 28 Nov 2011
John, D., & George, D. (2001). Coral death and seasonal seawater temperature regime and their influence on the marine algae of Abu Dhabi (UAE) in the Arabian Gulf. In: Proceedings of 17th International Seaweed Symposium, Cape Town, pp341–348
Price ARG, Coles SL (1992) Aspects of seagrass ecology along the Western Arabian Gulf. Hydrobiology 234:129–141
Saudi Arabia (2005) First National Communication, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, Submitted To The United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change, (UNFCCC); Presidency Of Meteorology And Environment (PME). http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/saunc1.pdf cited 28 Nov 2011
Sorensen J (1997) National and international efforts at integrated coastal management: definitions, achievements and lessons. Coastal Management 25:3–41
Acknowledgements
The authors thank management of Shaw Arabia Limited, Riyadh for providing facilities and permission to publish this paper. Immense help received from all the team members and specifically from Mr. Abishekh P.V. is duly acknowledged. The valuable comments provided by the Journal Editor and the two anonymous referees were highly beneficial while revising the manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Babu, D.S.S., Sivalingam, S. & Machado, T. Need for adaptation strategy against global sea level rise: an example from Saudi coast of Arabian gulf. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 17, 821–836 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-011-9346-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-011-9346-2