Assessing coastal vulnerability to sea level rise in St. Lucia and the resiliency of beaches

Abstract

Saint Lucia, like many other Caribbean islands have not had consistent coastal monitoring programs. This research looks into coastal risk and vulnerability associated with sea level rise and anthropogenic climate change on previously assessed beaches in Saint Lucia. Coastal resources such as mangrove forests, coral reefs and beaches in particular, are critical aspects of the tourism industry, and in turn, Saint Lucia's economy. Using the Emery method, a field assessment of six beaches previously monitored in 2002 was conducted. Factors such as coastal erosion, sediment type and various other backshore and foreshore characteristics were identified for each beach. Beaches were assessed before the hurricane season, two weeks after a storm and one month after the previous assessment to compare variations in shoreline erosion, and profile structure. Profile results displayed anthropogenic backshore infrastructure such as gabion baskets did not recover after a disturbance, unlike that of dune or vegetated backshores. Using the data collected, varying beach stabilization methods ranging from hybridized solutions, beach nourishment and enhanced development legislation creates a basis for proactive mitigation responses for beaches assessed on the island.