Explore the vast range of titles available.

The world has a long record of shoreline and related erosion problems due to the impacts of climate change/variability in sea level rise. This has made coastal systems and large inland water environments vulnerable, thereby activating research concern globally. This study is a bibliometric analysis of the global scientific production of data sources and tools for shoreline change analysis and detection. The bibliometric mapping method (bibliometric R and VOSviewer package) was utilized to analyze 1578 scientific documents (1968–2022) retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science databases. There is a chance that in the selection process one or more important scientific papers might be omitted due to the selection criteria. Thus, there could be a bias in the present results due to the search criteria here employed. The results revealed that the U.S.A. is the country with the most scientific production (16.9%) on the subject. Again, more country collaborations exist among the developed countries compared with the developing countries. The results further revealed that tools for shoreline change analysis have changed from a simple beach transect (0.1%) to the utilization of geospatial tools such as DSAS (14.6%), ArcGIS/ArcMap (13.8%), and, currently, machine learning (5.1%). Considering the benefits of these geospatial tools, and machine learning in particular, more utilization is essential to the continuous growth of the field. Found research gaps were mostly addressed by the researchers themselves or addressed in other studies, while others have still not been addressed, especially the ones emerged from the recent work. For instance, the one on insights for reef restoration projects focused on erosion mitigation and designing artificial reefs in microtidal sandy beaches.

Shoreline change and coastal erosion resulting from natural events such as sea level rise and negative anthropogenic activities continue to be problems in many of the world’s coastal regions. Many coastal socio-ecological systems have become vulnerable as a result, especially in developing countries with less adaptive capacity. We utilized the systematic method to understand the research progress and policy recommendations on shoreline change and coastal erosion in West Africa. A total of 113 documents were retrieved from Scopus and the Web of Sciences databases, and 43 documents were eligible following established criteria. It was revealed that research on shoreline change and coastal erosion has progressed substantially since 1998, with most research studies originating from the Ghanaian territory. Again, most of the shoreline change and erosion problems in West Africa result from natural events such as sea level rise. However, there was evidence of anthropogenic influences such as sand mining, dam construction, and human encroachment causing shoreline change and erosion in the region. Research in the region has also progressed in terms of methodological approaches. Since 2004, researchers have utilized remote sensing and GIS techniques to source and analyze shoreline change and erosion. However, a combination of remote sensing and field observation approaches is required to clearly depict the erosion problems and aid policy direction. The overall call to action regarding policy recommendations revolves around improving coastal adaptation measures and the resilience of communities, instituting proper coastal zone management plans, and improving shoreline change and coastal erosion research. To protect lives and property, policymakers in the region need to set up good coastal zone management plans, strengthen adaptation measures, and make coastal communities more resistant to possible risks.

Urban areas continue to be the center of action for many countries due to their contribution to economic development. Many urban areas, through the urbanization process, have become vulnerable to climate risk, thereby making risk mitigation and adaptation essential components in urban planning. The study assessed the impacts of IPCC Assessment Reports (ARs) on academic research on risk mitigation and adaptation concerns in urban areas. The study systematically reviewed literature through searches of the Web of Science and Scopus databases; 852 papers were retrieved and 370 were deemed eligible. The results showed that the East Asia and Pacific, and Europe and Central Asia regions were most interested in IPCC ARs, while Sub-Saharan Africa showed little interest. Several urban concerns, including socio-economic, air quality, extreme temperature, sea level rise/flooding, health, and water supply/drought, were identified. Additionally, studies on negative health outcomes due to extreme temperatures and air pollution did not appear in the first four IPCC ARs. However, significant studies appeared after the launch of the AR5. Here, we must state that climate-related problems of urbanization were known and discussed in scientific papers well before the formation of the IPCC. For instance, the works of Clarke on urban structure and heat mortality and Oke on climatic impacts of urbanization. Though the IPCC ARs show impact, their emphasis on combined mitigation and adaptation policies is limited. This study advocates more combined risk mitigation and adaptation policies in urban areas for increased resilience to climate risk.

The global climate has changed, and there are concerns about the effects on both humans and the environment, necessitating more research for improved adaptation. In this study, we analyzed extreme temperature and rainfall events and projected future climate change scenarios for the coastal Savannah agroecological zone (CSAZ) of Ghana. We utilized the ETCCDI, the RClimDex software (version 1.0), the Mann–Kendall test, Sen’s slope estimator, and standardized anomalies to analyze homogeneity, trends, magnitude, and seasonal variations in temperature (Tmax and Tmin) and rainfall datasets for the zone. The SDSM was also used to downscale future climate change scenarios based on the CanESM2 (RCP 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 scenarios) and HadCM3 (A2 and B2 scenarios) models for the zone. Model performance was evaluated using statistical methods such as R2, RMSE, and PBIAS. Results revealed more changepoints in Tmin than in Tmax and rainfall. Results again showed that the CSAZ has warmed over the last four decades. The SU25, TXn, and TN90p have increased significantly in the zone, and the opposite is the case for the TN10p and DTR. Spatially varied trends were observed for the TXx, TNx, TNn, TX10p, TX90p, and the CSDI across the zone. The decrease in RX1day, RX5day, SDII, R10, R95p, and R99p was significant in most parts of the central region compared to the Greater Accra and Volta regions, while the CDD significantly decreased in the latter two regions than in the former. The trends in CWD and PRCPTOT were insignificant throughout the zone. The overall performance of both models during calibration and validation was good and ranged from 58–99%, 0.01–1.02 °C, and 0.42–11.79 °C for R2, RMSE, and PBIAS, respectively. Tmax is expected to be the highest (1.6 °C) and lowest (−1.6 °C) across the three regions, as well as the highest (1.5 °C) and lowest (−1.6 °C) for the entire zone, according to both models. Tmin is projected to be the highest (1.4 °C) and lowest (−2.1 °C) across the three regions, as well as the highest (1.4 °C) and lowest (−2.3 °C) for the entire zone. The greatest (1.6 °C) change in mean annual Tmax is expected to occur in the 2080s under RCP8.5, while that of the Tmin (3.2 °C) is expected to occur in the 2050s under the same scenario. Monthly rainfall is expected to change between −98.4 and 247.7% across the three regions and −29.0 and 148.0% for the entire zone under all scenarios. The lowest (0.8%) and highest (79%) changes in mean annual rainfall are expected to occur in the 2030s and 2080s. The findings of this study could be helpful for the development of appropriate adaptation plans to safeguard the livelihoods of people in the zone.

Coastal zones, despite their contribution to global economies, continue to suffer the negative impacts of climate variability, which limit the livelihoods of people, particularly small-scale fishermen. This study examined climate variability, coastal livelihoods, and the influence of ocean change on the total annual fish catch in Ghana’s Coastal Savannah zone. The mixed-methods approach was used to analyze primary data (semi-structured questionnaires and interviews), secondary data (sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity (SSS), and fish catch), and statistical tests (chi-square, binary logistic regression, and multiple regression). Findings revealed a significant increase in climate variability awareness among fishermen, attributed to the influence of broadcast media. However, they lack sufficient information regarding the transformation of cities, the urbanization process, and its impact on the global climate. Increasing temperatures and sea level rise emerged as the most prevalent impacts of climate variability over the past two decades in the zone. Although the fishermen lack awareness regarding the changes in SSS and their effects on fish, the findings of the multiple regression analysis established that changes in SSS exert a more pronounced effect on the decreasing fishing catch in the zone compared to those in SST. Empirical fish catch records supported the fishermen’s claim of a substantial decrease in total fish catch in the zone over the past 20 years. Aside from climate variability impacts, the involvement of many people and light fishing emerged as additional factors contributing to the decreasing fish catch in the zone. High premix fuel prices or shortages and “saiko” activities were the main obstacles that hindered the fishermen’s activities. “Saiko” is an unlawful activity in which foreign industrial trawlers sell fish directly to Ghanaian canoes or small-scale fishermen at sea. The fishermen lack sufficient means of supporting their livelihoods, as there is a lack of viable alternative livelihood options. Additionally, the majority of the fishermen experience symptoms of fever and headaches. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that the fishermen’s income insufficiency could be substantially reduced if they were to have their own houses, canoes, or fish all year. This situation highlights the need for heightened support from policymakers for improved sustainable livelihood prospects as well as health and well-being.

Drought and wetness events have become common due to global warming, warranting the need for continuous analysis and monitoring of drought and wet events to safeguard people’s livelihoods. In this study, the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) was utilized to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of drought and wetness events in the coastal Savannah agroecological zone from 1981 to 2021. Climate data from 14 locations across the zone were used to characterize drought and wetness events at the 3 and 12 month timescales. Except for September 1995 and November 2002, when changepoints occurred, the results revealed the homogeneous nature of temperature and rainfall in the zone. More drought events were observed in the dry and minor seasons, while the wet season had more wetness events under both the SPEI-3 and SPEI-12 timescales. The results also showed that, while moderate-to-severe drought events were common for most years, extreme drought events were more typical in the 1980s and 1990s than in the 2000s under both the SPEI-3 and SPEI-12. Furthermore, the 2000s saw more moderate-to-severe wetness events than the 1980s and 1990s, while the greatest number of extreme wetness events occurred in 1987, followed by 1997 and 2021 under the SPEI-3, and a few moderate-to-extreme wetness events occurred in 1987, 1991, 1997–1998, 2012–2013, 2018, and 2020–2021 under the SPEI-12. Under the SPEI-12, only extreme drought events showed a significant positive trend with a small magnitude of change. On the spatial scale, drought and wetness events occurred more frequently in the Central and Volta regions than in the Greater Accra region; however, the intensity and duration of the events were stronger and lasted longer in the Greater Accra and Central regions than in the Volta region. The regular monitoring of drought and wetness events is required to protect the livelihoods of people in the zone.

This study analysed long-term shoreline change, the influence of erosion, and adaptation strategies in coastal Ghana. The change between 1972 and 2021 was analysed using Landsat satellite images and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS v.5.0), and adaptation strategies were revealed through field observations. The End Point Rate (EPR), Linear Regression Rate (LRR), and Weighted Linear Regression (WLR) were used to estimate the rate of change, whereas the Net Shoreline Movement (NSM) and Shoreline Change Envelope (SCE) were used to calculate the distances of change. The coefficient of shoreline armouring (K) index was used to evaluate the grade of artificial or human interventions on the coast. The erosion rates for the EPR (− 107.6 m/year, or 95.0%) and LRR (− 75.7 m/year, or 99.3%) were higher than the accretion rates of (28.5 m/year, or 5.0%) and (33.6 m/year, or 0.7%), respectively. The NSM recorded maximum erosion (− 14,080 to − 10,840 m) and accretion (1107 to 2135 m) with an average distance of − 4943.1 m. The SCE estimated a maximum (14,080.5 m) and minimum (813.8 m) distances with an average distance change of 5557.9 m. The central coast experienced erosion at average rates of − 119.0 m/yr, − 89.6 m/yr, and − 94.0 m/yr, according to EPR, LRR, and WLR statistics. The eastern coast observed lower erosion rates than the central coast, with rates of − 75.3 m/yr, − 53.2 m/yr, and − 41.9 m/yr for the EPR, LRR, and WLR statistics, respectively. Since 1972, there has been a significant increase in artificial coastal structures on Ghana's central and eastern coasts. The central coast has reached a maximal level of shoreline armouring index, while the eastern coast has reached a minimal level. Although hard protective measures have been implemented on most parts of the coast for adaptation, improved policy initiatives on soft and nature-based protection measures are encouraged based on their favourable ecological impact and economic effectiveness.

Day-to-day temperature variability (DTD) is observed to have negative effects on people and their activities. The study assessed DTD in nine areas in coastal Ghana. The study used daily maximum ( T max ) and minimum ( T min ) temperatures from 1981–2021, obtained from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (NASA/POWER). The ERA5 hourly data on single levels from 1940 to present, obtained from the fifth-generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis, was further utilised to validate the NASA/POWER and the GMet datasets. The standard deviation (SD), DTD, the ratio of DTD to SD ( G ), the change in DTD (ΔDTD), threshold exceedances (2 °C and 4 °C), and the linear regression test were the statistical methods applied. Results established that an orderly climate ( G  < 1) exists in the nine areas. The highest monthly averages ΔDTD were observed in Ada Foah, Apam, and Elmina, while the lowest occurred in Denu, Keta, and Saltpond. Throughout the year, Ada Foah had the most exceedances of the 2 °C and 4 °C thresholds in DTD, except for the 4 °C DTD T min , where Cape Coast was higher. Temporal trends increased in both DTD T max and T min. However, improvements in DTD T min were weak. DTD was higher in the dry season (November–March) than in the wet season (May–July) due to higher insolation and seasonal wind developments. A continuous increase in DTD could affect the health of the people in coastal Ghana.

The impacts of sea level rise under a changing climate negatively affect the world’s coastal zones and threaten livelihood opportunities of the dependent communities, thereby highlighting the need for improved coastal adaptation strategies. The study employed a two-step methodology (i.e. bibliometric and systematic review) to analyse the geospatiality of sea level rise impacts and communities’ adaptation. In total, 363 papers were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science databases, and 292 were considered eligible and used for the bibliometric analysis. In the systematic review, the study aimed for specific community adaptation strategies from the 292 papers, and 118 papers were eligible following developed criteria. Results indicate that countries are committed to helping their coastal communities to adapt to sea level rise impacts and the USA has been significant in that regard. Coastal communities adapt to sea level rise impacts by increasing their structural/physical or social options; however, policy/institutional assistance to intensify these options is limited. Also, specific community adaptation strategies to sea level rise impacts have been more of the engineered and built environment (67%) strategies and few on ecosystem-based strategies (7%). More ecosystem-based strategies are, thus, needed considering their socio-ecological benefits. Further research and increased communities-policymakers engagement for enhanced adaptive capacity is required.

Climate change and climate variability have substantial adverse impacts on various sectors of the global economy, threatening the sustainability of these economies and the livelihoods of millions of people, particularly in developing countries with limited adaptation measures. Regular assessment is necessary to enhance our understanding of the adverse impacts and improve policy decisions on the appropriate adaptation strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess climate change and climate variability impacts in the coastal savannah agroecological zone of Ghana, where there is currently a dearth of knowledge on these impacts from a socio-ecological perspective. This study contributes to the scientific literature by offering a conceptual understanding of the impacts of climate change and variability, as well as making a significant methodological contribution by adapting existing research methods in a multimethod and interdisciplinary manner to enhance our understanding of climate change and variability impacts on socio-ecological systems. The study employed an interdisciplinary and multimethod approach and data sources, including climatological data and community participatory approaches. Results show that drought and wetness event incidences have increased in the zone over the past four decades. Again, the results show that the zone has an orderly climate, with higher levels of variability in the day-to-day maximum temperature than the day-to-day minimum temperature. Additionally, results indicate that smallholder farmers perceive extreme temperatures, droughts, pests, and diseases as the major climate risks that adversely impact their agricultural activities. Smallholder farmers have employed various adaptation strategies, including crop diversification, cultivating improved seed varieties, using fertilisers, and using irrigation. The results predict an increase in the zone’s future warming and rainfall variability. Results indicate that the different El Niño-Southern Oscillation phases explained only a small variation in total annual rainfall in the zone, ranging from 1% to 12%. Moreover, results indicate that sea surface temperature and salinity account for 39% of the variability in the decrease in the total annual fish catch in the zone. Small-scale fishermen face several obstacles that limit their activities, with high premix fuel prices and high-sea transhipment activities being the most significant. The small-scale fishermen do not have satisfactory livelihood opportunities. Results from the shoreline change analysis show that Ghana’s central and eastern coasts have eroded at rates faster than they are accreting. Improved policy decisions are necessary, including regular monitoring of drought and wetness event incidences in the zone, the implementation of targeted policies to support and address the unequal power dynamics faced by women smallholder farmers in accessing resources, and the development of additional employment opportunities such as agriculture (crops, livestock, and poultry), small business, and occasional wage labour for small-scale fishermen in the zone.