Multi-temporal shoreline analysis and future regional perspective for Kuwait coast using remote sensing and GIS...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Coastal Geomorphology
• Remote Sensing

Background:

• Coastal regions are vital for human well-being and economies.
• Anthropogenic pressures increase coastal vulnerability, necessitating monitoring.
• Kuwait's coast hosts 94% of its population and urban areas, requiring sustainable management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze historical shoreline changes in Kuwait from 1980 to 2020.
• To predict future shoreline changes in Kuwait up to 2035.
• To assess coastal erosion and accretion rates for sustainable management.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of historical coastal changes over 40 years (1980-2020).
• Application of the End Point Rate (EPR) model for change rate analysis.
• Prediction of future shoreline changes using the EPR model.
• Mapping of historical and predicted shoreline changes for Kuwait and its islands.

Main Results:

• Shoreline accretion rates reached up to 32.79 m/year.
• Shoreline erosion rates were as low as -23.45 m/year.
• Kuwait's islands exhibited fluctuating erosion and deposition patterns.

Conclusions:

• Significant historical shoreline changes necessitate ongoing monitoring.
• The EPR model provides valuable insights for predicting future coastal dynamics.
• Findings support sustainable coastal planning and management in Kuwait.