OSS Saint Louis : enhancing coastal resilience in Senegal

The OSS SAINT LOUIS project focuses on the vulnerable Saint-Louis coastline in Senegal, with the objective of evaluating the coastal hazards and risks attributed to climate change. By combining satellite data (Sentinel-1/2/3, Spot 6-7, Pleiades), socio-economic information, and in-situ measurements, the project has developed tools and indicators to improve resilience and stakeholder awareness. Details Approximately one-third of West Africa's inhabitants live on the coast, with the population growing at a rate of 4% per year. Coastal areas generate 56% of the regional GDP. However, these coastal ecosystems are under threat: rising sea levels, storm surges, and overflowing coastal rivers are leading to increased coastal flooding and erosion, jeopardizing habitats and economic activities. In this context, accurate monitoring and modeling are essential for effective planning and management. The project selected the Saint-Louis coastline due to its vulnerability to erosion and flooding, making it a representative case of the wider regional challenges facing coastal populations in West Africa. The project developed the SCO St. Louis mapping interface, which integrates various elements, including flood mapping simulations, sea level rise quantification, and coastline detection algorithms. Key results include the Coastal Vulnerability Index, the Flood Vulnerability Index, and the mapping of high-risk areas, facilitating adaptation strategies and decision-making. The project's approach, based on satellite data, is reproducible and adaptable to other territories facing similar challenges. Satellite data from missions such as Jason-3, Sentinel-3, and Sentinel-6, alongside in-situ data from measurement campaigns, contribute to the platform's data sources. More To learn more about the application please explore Space for Climate Observatory website and OSS Saint Louis web platform.