Coasts

In the past several decades however, The Romanian Black Sea coastline, extending over 240 km long, has been suffering from serious beach erosion problems for several decades. The entire southern sector of beaches and coastline have been acutely eroded by the construction of ports as well as dams along the Danube to the Black Sea. This has led to the deterioration of sediment transport. The shoreline has various protective measures such as seawalls, groyns, and detached breakwaters. However, many of these facilities have deteriorated and are not functioning optimally. Most of the groynes are too short and were laid out close to each other, creating narrow water areas and short beaches. This leads to poor water circulation and exchange in these narrow water areas, contributing to the water pollution problems along the beach. Furthermore, eutrophication due to insufficient treatment of wastewater from hotels and residential areas in the vicinity causes problems. Natural habitats have been affected by erosion, impacting plants, algae, small fish, and shellfish. Additionally, variations in sand deposits may either bury or displace species altogether.

Mauritania's coastal zone, ranging from high-energy beaches to mangrove environments, faces diverse challenges including infrastructure development and vulnerability to floods. To address climate change risks, Mauritania has developed a 2018-2022 Coastal Master Plan, focusing on spatial development and climate adaptation. Key interventions under the West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA) include reinforcing coastal dunes, extending dikes, planting mangroves, and implementing community-based disaster risk reduction measures. The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development leads these efforts, coordinating activities with multiple partners to enhance coastal resilience through nature-based solutions (Toolkit WACA Mauritania, 2017).

The Mauritania Work project prioritized protecting Nouakchott, Mauritania's capital, from coastal erosion. This involved reinforcing coastal dunes through sand replenishment and plant stabilization, while restrictions on dune access prevented further damage. Future plans include planting mangroves along the Senegal border to act as a buffer against erosion. Additional risk reduction measures for the local community are being prepared to enhance long-term resilience. The project's benefits extend to health and social development.