Abstract

Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM), developed by DHI, is a preliminary assessment and scoping tool that was applied for performing the task of Rapid Assessment Procedure (RAP) in order to study the Coastal Morphological Landscape Changes (CMLC) for the coast of Kuwait. The obtained RIAM results were evaluated by conducting ? of Environmental Score (ES); Range Values Frequency Balance; Segregating Range Value and Environmental Score; and Histogram Evaluation. The RIAM study gives clear indication that the anthropogenic activities in Kuwait has been and is interfering with environmental components; thereby bringing changes or modifying or altering the natural CML. The activities of oil refineries, oil terminals, petrochemical industries, power stations and desalination plant have had more impact in changing the coastal morphology from the time oil was first discovered till now. They have changed the geomorphologic landforms and have interacted with salt marshes, swamps, tidal and intertidal flats of Kuwait. Apart from that the activities of dredging, dumping, reclamation, shore and beach nourishment, beach repair and construction have induced unpredicted erosion and accretion along the coast. The limited natural CML resources of the coastal area in Kuwait which lies along the 325 kilometers of shoreline of mainland inaddition, the coastal area of nine islands would become extinct within the next few decades if such acceleration of coastal exploitation goes on without any stringent preservation and conservation strategies. The total shoreline including all the nine islands is about 500 kilometers in length. The most vulnerable coast of Kuwait is around the Kuwait Bay, Khor Subiya Creek, and lslands of Bubiyan, and Warba.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.