Geomatics-based assessment of coastal vulnerability in Kribi (southern Cameroon)

Clotaire Jose Pako Perabi; Raphael Onguene; Kevin MBA Djuka Zebaze; Abdoul Aboubakar; Gregoire Ondoa Abessolo; Pierre Ele; Clotaire Jose Pako Perabi; Raphael Onguene; Kevin MBA Djuka Zebaze; Abdoul Aboubakar; Gregoire Ondoa Abessolo; Pierre Ele

doi:10.3934/urs.2025012

Urban Resilience and Sustainability

2025, Volume 3, Issue 4: 225-249. doi: 10.3934/urs.2025012

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Research article

Geomatics-based assessment of coastal vulnerability in Kribi (southern Cameroon)

1.
Institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM), P.O. Box 4110, Nlongkak, Yaoundé, Cameroon
2.
University Institute of Technology Douala, P.O. Box 8698, Douala, Cameroon
3.
Institute of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at Yabassi, P.O. Box 7236, Douala, Cameroon
4.
National Advanced School of Engineering of Yaounde, P.O. Box 8390, Yaounde, Cameroon

Received: 29 September 2025 Revised: 03 November 2025 Accepted: 20 November 2025 Published: 28 November 2025

Located in southern Cameroon, at the bottom of the Gulf of Guinea, the Kribi coast has contributed over the years to the country's economic development (seaside tourism, mining and oil exploitation, etc.). In recent decades, the coastline has been subject to a number of stresses, such as coastal erosion. However, virtually no work has been done in this area to assess the degree of vulnerability of this coastline to erosion. The objective of this article was to assess the physical and socio-economic vulnerability of a 31.5-km stretch of the Kribi coastline using geographic information systems (GIS). The results obtained have made it possible to map the vulnerable areas on this coast. More than two-thirds (68.3%) of the Kribi coastline are highly physically vulnerable to erosion risks, consisting mainly of sandy accumulations and creeks, while nearly one-third (31.7%) of the coastline has low to moderately vulnerability, consisting of rocky promontories and rocky shores. On the other hand, more than half (58.7%) of the coastline is highly vulnerable to erosion from a socio-economic perspective, consisting mainly of densely populated urban areas with well-developed road networks and a rich heritage. More than a third (41.3%) of the coastline has low to moderate socio-economic vulnerability, consisting of areas that are difficult to access and almost unexploited. The results of this study can be used as a decision-making tool to anticipate critical areas and guide development policies for sustainable coastal management, given that an industrial and port complex is gradually being built around the deep-water port of Kribi. It also contributes to enriching the assessment techniques used to date.
- southern Cameroon,
- Kribi coastline,
- geographic information systems (GIS),
- physical and socio-economic vulnerability,
- erosion
Citation: Clotaire Jose Pako Perabi, Raphael Onguene, Kevin MBA Djuka Zebaze, Abdoul Aboubakar, Gregoire Ondoa Abessolo, Pierre Ele. Geomatics-based assessment of coastal vulnerability in Kribi (southern Cameroon)[J]. Urban Resilience and Sustainability, 2025, 3(4): 225-249. doi: 10.3934/urs.2025012

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Abstract

Located in southern Cameroon, at the bottom of the Gulf of Guinea, the Kribi coast has contributed over the years to the country's economic development (seaside tourism, mining and oil exploitation, etc.). In recent decades, the coastline has been subject to a number of stresses, such as coastal erosion. However, virtually no work has been done in this area to assess the degree of vulnerability of this coastline to erosion. The objective of this article was to assess the physical and socio-economic vulnerability of a 31.5-km stretch of the Kribi coastline using geographic information systems (GIS). The results obtained have made it possible to map the vulnerable areas on this coast. More than two-thirds (68.3%) of the Kribi coastline are highly physically vulnerable to erosion risks, consisting mainly of sandy accumulations and creeks, while nearly one-third (31.7%) of the coastline has low to moderately vulnerability, consisting of rocky promontories and rocky shores. On the other hand, more than half (58.7%) of the coastline is highly vulnerable to erosion from a socio-economic perspective, consisting mainly of densely populated urban areas with well-developed road networks and a rich heritage. More than a third (41.3%) of the coastline has low to moderate socio-economic vulnerability, consisting of areas that are difficult to access and almost unexploited. The results of this study can be used as a decision-making tool to anticipate critical areas and guide development policies for sustainable coastal management, given that an industrial and port complex is gradually being built around the deep-water port of Kribi. It also contributes to enriching the assessment techniques used to date.

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