What is the problem with Africa's coastline?

At present, widespread erosion and flooding are devastating vast areas along the African coastline, causing severe ecological problems as well as creating a high level of misery for the people.

1. What problems occur at the coast?
2. Why is the coastline under threat?
3. How does wave erosion affect Africa?
4. Does Africa have coastline?
5. Which is the biggest problems of coastal areas?
6. What is coastal conflict?
7. Why is coastal erosion happening?
8. Why some coastlines are protected while others are not?
9. Why are some coastlines protected and others are not?
10. Why are coastal plains absent in Africa?
11. Why coastal plains are narrow in Africa?
12. Why is there so much erosion in West Africa?
13. How many African countries have a coastline?

What problems occur at the coast?

The threats to coastal communities include extreme natural events such as hurricanes, coastal storms, tsunamis, and landslides, as well as longer-term risks of coastal erosion and sea level rise.

Why is the coastline under threat?

Climate change - as the world warms (global warming), the polar ice caps are melting, which leads to a rise in sea level. This puts coastal areas under threat. ... Also, those who live directly on the coast are also in danger of landslides and the effects of coastal erosion.

How does wave erosion affect Africa?

Coastal erosion is a major problem for Africa. ... Coastal erosion has devastating effects, inducing the loss of infrastructure such as roads. It also threatens populations, who can no longer live close to the coastline, and the worry is it is expected to increase due to climate change and sea level rise.

Does Africa have coastline?

Paradoxically, the coastline of Africa—18,950 miles (30,500 km) in length—is shorter than that of Europe, because there are few inlets and few large bays or gulfs. ... Off the coasts of Africa a number of islands are associated with the continent.

Which is the biggest problems of coastal areas?

Pollution, trawling and human development

Pollution, trawling, and human development are major human disasters that affect coastal regions. There are two main categories related to pollution, point source pollution, and nonpoint source pollution.

What is coastal conflict?

Conflicts between human activities and natural systems exist wherever the two come together in the coastal environment; indeed, some clashes are inevitable.

Why is coastal erosion happening?

What causes coastal erosion? Coastal erosion is typically driven by the action of waves and currents, but also by mass wasting processes on slopes, and subsidence (particularly on muddy coasts). ... On coastal headlands, such processes can lead to undercutting of cliffs and steep slopes and contribute to mass wasting.

Why some coastlines are protected while others are not?

You can probably think of many more reasons why coasts need to be protected. It is not possible to completely stop the power of natural forces from changing the coast. People try to protect some areas from erosion but this can have negative impacts as well as positive. The way the coast is managed can cause conflict.

Why are some coastlines protected and others are not?

Reasons for management

The coastline is eroding at an average of 2 metres a year. ... Naturally narrow beaches – these beaches give less protection to the coast as they don't reduce the power of the waves. Man-made structures – groynes have been installed to stop longshore drift and build up the beaches in certain places.

Why are coastal plains absent in Africa?

Answer: A large part of the East African coastal plain which is low-lying is very variable in width. The coast is relatively unindented because of the absence of large rivers. ... These coastal plains are almost absent in some areas, for example in Seychelles.

Why coastal plains are narrow in Africa?

Ans: The coastal plains of Africa are very narrow because the plateaus drop to the sea abruptly.

Why is there so much erosion in West Africa?

Critical ecosystems such as beaches and mangroves as well as many farmlands have been devastated. Erosion is due to both natural and manmade factors and cost nearly $ 1 billion to the four countries. The coastline is very dynamic.

How many African countries have a coastline?

Africa has 38 coastal states and a number of island states like Cape Verde, Sao Tomé and Principe, Mauritius, Seychelles and the Comoros. Collectively African coastal and island states encompass vast ocean territories of an estimated 13 million km².