Mapping of Sensitive Coastal Spaces and Environments to Preserve in the west of the Coastal Zone of Côte d’Ivoire

Aims: Identification of remarkable areas or spaces of ecological and biological interest in the west of the ivorian coastal zone in order to propose action strategies for the preservation of these sites, supported by legal guidelines for the protection of these remarkable spaces.

Place and Duration of Study: Western ivorian coast, November to December 2023.

Methodology: A participatory and inclusive approach was adopted in order to take into account the views, opinions, concerns and needs of all stakeholders operating in this part of the coastal zone. A cartographic database was created from the 2023 Sentinel 2 satellite image of the Ivorian coastal area. Digital processing of the 10 m spatial resolution image using ARCGIS 10 software made it possible to digitize the land cover layers of this coastal zone.

Results: From Cavally River bordering Liberia-west Tabou border, we have identified 17 coastal sites to be protected, including 4 rivers, 4 biological sites (Voluntary Forest Reserve, Sea turtle nesting sites, Mangrove areas and the new marine protected area planned) and 9 villages. As for the Tabou est-Grand-Béréby coast, there are 23 sites including 8 rivers, 8 biological sites (Marine Protected Area, Voluntary nature reserve, Community forests, Sacred forests, Mangrove areas, Sea turtle nesting sites) and 7 localities threatened by marine flooding.

Conclusion: Costal sites must be protected by several tools whose protection methods make it possible to adapt to the local context. Thus, on sites, we frequently combine regulatory protection tools, to limit or prohibit certain uses, and contractual tools to finance restoration actions or encourage more sustainable practices, and this, from the implementing decree on sensitive coastal areas and sites to be protected from Law No. 2017-378 of June 2, 2017 relating to the development, protection and integrated management of the littoral.