HGIS: Barbados Coastal Conservation Study

Coastal Zone Management

October, 1984

Coastal Conservation Study (Diagnostic Survey)
Barbados, West Indies

Erosion of prime tourist beaches and beach front property on the south and west coasts of Barbados has generated public and governmental concern. In response to this concern, a Coastal Conservation Study of the beaches and foreshore area was initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Lands to evaluate the nature and causes of coastline erosion and/or accretion.
A Diagnostic Survey was undertaken as the first phase of the study. Backshore land-use/vegetation maps were prepared together with bathymetric ecological substrate maps of the foreshore area. Sub-bottom profiles were obtained with a dual frequency (3.5/200 kHz) acoustic pinger system and sounding transects and substrate information were plotted on 1:5,000 scale controlled air photo base maps.

Research included a comprehensive literature review, airphoto interpretation and shoreline mapping from recent and historical aerial photography. Comparative studies of historic shorelines using photogrammetric techniques were completed. Field studies of geology, coastal geomorphology, erosion and sedimentation, littoral processes, marine biology, terrestrial ecology were also undertaken. More than 70 diving (SCUBA) transects were completed around the island. beach profiles were measured over a 12 month period. Sediment sample from diving transects and beach profiles were measured for grain size distribution. Value for mean grain size, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis were completed. A current meter installation provided the first long term record in Barbados nearshore waters.
Large scale color aerial photography and video imagery were obtained of strategic beaches, coastal properties, reefs, and other offshore features of intereset to the study.
Remedial measures were proposed to offset coral reef degredation, nearshore water quality and beach erosion problems. Coastal zone issues were identified and recommendation for improvements prepared. Engineering prefeasibility stdies were undertaken.
This fifteen month study was undertaken in conjunction with Proctor and Redfern International Limited (Canada) and David Lashley and Partners (Barbados). The project involved more than 40 engineers, scientists, planners, economists and technicians. A counterpart training program was implemented in coastal zone research, monitoring and management.