Environmental Changes and the Dynamics of Coastal Hazards in Mauritania: Nouakchott as a Case Study

Abstract

This study addresses coastal hazards resulting from environmental changes in one of the coastal cities most affected by this phenomenon. Owing to its geomorphological fragility, the city of Nouakchott has become one of the most vulnerable coastal cities in Mauritania and among those most exposed to coastal hazards. This situation is further aggravated by the city's very rapid population growth and the accompanying uncontrolled horizontal urban expansion driven by rural migration and high natural population increase. The study shows that Nouakchott is experiencing a growing range of coastal hazards resulting from the combined effects of natural and human factors. The most significant of these hazards include coastal erosion, the exploitation of coastal sand for construction purposes, the increasing threat of marine inundation, the proximity of saline groundwater tables to the land surface, and coastal flooding. In response to these challenges, the Mauritanian government has adopted several strategies aimed at strengthening the capacity of the city of Nouakchott to adapt to the adverse impacts of environmental changes. However, despite their importance, these strategies have not succeeded in reducing the escalation of coastal hazards. This highlights the need to adopt a more comprehensive and effective approach based on an accurate assessment of coastal risks and the development of practical and efficient solutions to mitigate their impacts.