1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
Nouakchott is mostly below sea level and is particularly vulnerable to rising groundwater levels, seawater intrusions, porous soils, sand extractions, and heavy rains in low-lying areas. Parts of Nouakchott is under sea-level level, vulnerable to floods, and protected from the Atlantic Ocean by just a string of dunes which adds to the new development challenges of the country. All of these factors have been the engine for the present intervention. The objectives are in line with tackling issues of climate change and its effects on biodiversity loss:
1. To reinforce the coastal dunes that protect Nouakchott by applying nature-based solutions, particularly vegetation for stabilisation of the soil as sand dunes have become more fragile, leading to coastal erosion and flooding, and poor management has led to contamination by urban waste and effluents.
2. To protect coastal dunes as they are high-value areas of biodiversity, providing a home to rare flora and offering protection to coasts against storms. They can, however, be vulnerable to degradation and should therefore be protected. The challenge lies in the changing nature of dunes as an ecosystem type.
3. To promote ecotourism for biodiversity protection and to build capacity within local communities by raising awareness of the changing climatic conditions and the changing ecosystem.
4. To preserve natural infrastructure that can provide ecological services. These services include water filtration services; habitats that serve as fisheries, hatcheries, or refuges; and the coastal infrastructure protection that anchors them. (1,2)
1. To reinforce the coastal dunes that protect Nouakchott by applying nature-based solutions, particularly vegetation for stabilisation of the soil as sand dunes have become more fragile, leading to coastal erosion and flooding, and poor management has led to contamination by urban waste and effluents.
2. To protect coastal dunes as they are high-value areas of biodiversity, providing a home to rare flora and offering protection to coasts against storms. They can, however, be vulnerable to degradation and should therefore be protected. The challenge lies in the changing nature of dunes as an ecosystem type.
3. To promote ecotourism for biodiversity protection and to build capacity within local communities by raising awareness of the changing climatic conditions and the changing ecosystem.
4. To preserve natural infrastructure that can provide ecological services. These services include water filtration services; habitats that serve as fisheries, hatcheries, or refuges; and the coastal infrastructure protection that anchors them. (1,2)
Quantitative targets
Addressing 754 km of the coastal line
Targeting 3 mil. people living on the coast
Comprising 2 cities: Nouakchott and Nouadhibou
Increasing and preserving areas with green or natural infrastructure including (but not limited to): mangroves, coastal marine aggregates, vegetation, coastal forests)
(1,2)
Targeting 3 mil. people living on the coast
Comprising 2 cities: Nouakchott and Nouadhibou
Increasing and preserving areas with green or natural infrastructure including (but not limited to): mangroves, coastal marine aggregates, vegetation, coastal forests)
(1,2)
Monitoring indicators defined
Size area considered for the intervention
Number of people benefiting from the intervention
Number of cities considered for the intervention
Type of vegetation considered (1,2)
Number of people benefiting from the intervention
Number of cities considered for the intervention
Type of vegetation considered (1,2)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implementation activities
The project kick-started in 2018 as a regional project in West Africa and includes 6 countries. The intervention is being implemented with the support of the WACA Resilience Investment Project, led by West African governments, and will protect against coastal erosion through a range of activities, including fixing dunes, and restoring wetlands and mangroves, replenishing beaches, and building seawalls and dikes. Local land-use plans are being prepared for the two major growth poles, to align the different sector strategies and to preserve spaces for crucial nature-based interventions. For example, while Nouakchott’s dunes provide the protection of a natural barrier, they are becoming fragile because of human activities; WACA has already completed mechanical and biological fixation of more than 30 hectares of the coastal dunes and will restore weak sections of the dunes systems in 2021. In addition, the project has been working with the National Park of Diawling to develop a resilience plan and restore natural ecosystems by fighting invasive species, including Typha, to maintain fishing as a source of livelihood for the population while preserving local and rich biodiversity. (1,2)
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
It is mentioned that the Netherlands is recognised as a global leader in innovative solutions for coastal zone management, including flood risk, erosion control, and water resource management. These solutions include novel approaches to traditional grey infrastructure and nature-based solutions that promote ecosystem-based approaches to risk management. Proven solutions like these, adapted to a variety of West African contexts, will help manage coastal risks in WACA countries through hybrid approaches using both grey and green solutions, achieving greater resilience along with co-benefits such as biodiversity conservation and livelihood diversification and strengthen natural resource management. (2)
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Yes, the project has been replicated in the city of Nouadhibou. (2)
