Reviving Nouakchott’s Coastal Dunes

Coastal landscape management or protection, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Protection of natural ecosystems

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)

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)

• Local government/Municipality
• Citizens or community groups
• Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)