INTRODUCTION
2
identify areas that are most at risk and inform decision-making processes related to coastal
management, adaptation strategies, and disaster risk reduction. The assessment of coastal zones
vulnerability takes into account various factors, including physical, ecological, and socioeconomic indicators and leads to empower coastal management by identify high-risk areas and
prioritize management strategies accordingly (Jiang et al., 2021).
The Algerian coast spans a coastline of 1622 km, this number has been revised with more
precice methodology from the National Institute of Cartography and Remote Sensing and
became 2148 Km. This coast accommodates 85% of the country's population, which is
concentrated within just 12% of the total land area (Rabehi et al., 2018; Djabri et al., 2019).
However, the utilization and advancement of this coastal region come with inherent risks
associated with erosion and potential flooding from the sea. These risks may be exacerbated by
the projected rise in sea levels in the Mediterranean Sea (Jimenez & Sánchez-Arcilla, 1997;
GIEC, 2014). Therefore, as part of the Algerian scientific research in this field, the objective of
the present research work is to develop a regional coastal vulnerability index for the Skikda
province.
The choice of the study area is linked, on one hand, to the selection of the scale and, on the
other hand, to the sensitivity of the area to various risks and hazards. The anthropogenic
influence has deeply marked this zone. This human imprint interacts with the dynamics that
regulate coastal evolution, simultaneously modifying its morphology and the processes that
govern its development. Indeed, the degree of vulnerability that may affect the Skikda coastal
zone depends on the probability of societal elements being threatened and, furthermore, on the
area's capacity to respond to the constraints exerted upon it.
To accomplish this task, it is necessary to define the scope of influence by determining the
boundaries of the relevant coastal zone and its ecosystems. Additionally, it involves identifying
the natural and societal factors that exert pressures on the coastal ecosystem. Understanding the
coastal zone requires comprehensive knowledge of its physical characteristics and coastal
dynamics, as well as a thorough examination of human activities. This includes assessing the
exploitation and management of the coastal environment, the utilization of both renewable
(living) and non-renewable (mineral) resources, and evaluating their impacts on the coastal
area.
2
identify areas that are most at risk and inform decision-making processes related to coastal
management, adaptation strategies, and disaster risk reduction. The assessment of coastal zones
vulnerability takes into account various factors, including physical, ecological, and socioeconomic indicators and leads to empower coastal management by identify high-risk areas and
prioritize management strategies accordingly (Jiang et al., 2021).
The Algerian coast spans a coastline of 1622 km, this number has been revised with more
precice methodology from the National Institute of Cartography and Remote Sensing and
became 2148 Km. This coast accommodates 85% of the country's population, which is
concentrated within just 12% of the total land area (Rabehi et al., 2018; Djabri et al., 2019).
However, the utilization and advancement of this coastal region come with inherent risks
associated with erosion and potential flooding from the sea. These risks may be exacerbated by
the projected rise in sea levels in the Mediterranean Sea (Jimenez & Sánchez-Arcilla, 1997;
GIEC, 2014). Therefore, as part of the Algerian scientific research in this field, the objective of
the present research work is to develop a regional coastal vulnerability index for the Skikda
province.
The choice of the study area is linked, on one hand, to the selection of the scale and, on the
other hand, to the sensitivity of the area to various risks and hazards. The anthropogenic
influence has deeply marked this zone. This human imprint interacts with the dynamics that
regulate coastal evolution, simultaneously modifying its morphology and the processes that
govern its development. Indeed, the degree of vulnerability that may affect the Skikda coastal
zone depends on the probability of societal elements being threatened and, furthermore, on the
area's capacity to respond to the constraints exerted upon it.
To accomplish this task, it is necessary to define the scope of influence by determining the
boundaries of the relevant coastal zone and its ecosystems. Additionally, it involves identifying
the natural and societal factors that exert pressures on the coastal ecosystem. Understanding the
coastal zone requires comprehensive knowledge of its physical characteristics and coastal
dynamics, as well as a thorough examination of human activities. This includes assessing the
exploitation and management of the coastal environment, the utilization of both renewable
(living) and non-renewable (mineral) resources, and evaluating their impacts on the coastal
area.