ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY
ATLAS OF COAST LINES
A STRONG TOOL FOR
OIL SPILL RESPONSE CONTINGENCY PLANS
AND A VALUABLE FOUNDATION FOR
INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT (ICZM)
The Geological Survey for Denmark and Greenland (GEUS)
can offer mapping of natural resources in the coastal zone as
well as developing interactive database and GIS systems as a
management tool for the national and local authorities. Recently this expertise has been further developed to include
ranking of the environmental sensitivity of the coastal zone
for use in the oil spill response contingency plann ing. The
environmental sensitivity ranking of a coast line provides oil
spill responds teams with a useful tool during several steps
in the contingency plan. In addition the coastal resource database supporting the ranking process provide an excellent
tool for a number of other management decision and the
ICZM process. The most recent projects are the west coast of
Greenland and the coastal area of Kenya.
Ankish
Mkokoni
The In Ndau
Kiwaiyu Is.
te nat
ional M Kiwaiyu
(IMO) rNdau
aritim
e Org
anisat
Wange
Dondo
Background
KenSea-Sens - Environmental Sensitivity Atlas for the coast of Kenya
Atu
RasiniTh
ion
e Ken
ya Go
vernm
OrKijinitini
ent an
ganiza
d Inte
t
i
on (IM
Chundwa
rnatio
O
t
he Na
) emb
Siyu
nal M
arked
tional
aritim
o
C
n
Pate Is.
e
o
n
d
t
e
i
2
velopm
ngenc
004 w
• An integrated part of the National Oil Spill
y Plan
hen th
ent of
f
e Draf
or Oil
able st
t Cont
Response Contingency Plan (NOSRCP)
Pollut
age. H
ingen
ion by
Pate
c
o
y
w
P
e
lan wa
ver, it
Area M
was re
s at a
aps w
workquired
ould b
The Kenya coastline extends some 600 kilometres from the
Conti
t
e
h
at Sen
an im
ngenc
portan
sitivit
y Plan
y
t com
border of TanzaniaSuakini
in the south to the border of Somalia in
plete w
and th
p
o
n
ent of
e plan
ithout
the
would
the de
the north. The highly productive ecosystems in the coastal
The ta
never
velopm
sk of c
b
e
e
nt of t
comarryin
area play a crucial role in the socio-economic development
his co
develo
g on t
mpon
he sur
pmen
Manda
ent.
t of th
veys, t
of the country. The coastal environment is at risk from mare map
he ma
Mokowe
s was
p
p
ing an
Mwana
grante
itime transportation activities
at the port and shipping
d
d to G
Manda Is.
EUS.
along the coastline. It is estimated that at any given time
IM
Lamu
Matondoni
O Reg
Takwa Milinga
Shela
there are 50 ships in
the major shipping lanes off the
Kipungani
Kenya coast, approximately 9 are oil tankers with capacities ranging from 50000-250000 tons.
Most of this coastal tanker traffic passes 250 nautical miles offshore, how-
ional C Mr. John Pa
Karawa
u
o-ordi
nator l Muindi.
Easter
Southe n and
rn Afri
ca
ever with Mombassa harbour serving as the major port for Kenya as well as the hinterland
countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Southern Sudan, North Eastern Tanzania and Somalia the
Kiongwe
threat for an oil spill is obvious. Further oil pollution also results from normal oil transportation activities such as ship to
nozi
shore transfers
Kinyika Is.and upland tank storage at the port.
In recognition of risks posed by oil
pollution the Government of Kenya
Tenewi Is.
and the private oil industry through
OSMAG (Oil Spill Mutual Aid Group)
decided with assistance from IMO to
Kinyaole
s.
develop a National Oil Spill Re-
sponse Contingency Plan (NOSRCP)
Fundisa
with the purpose
of enable a speedy
and effective response by the ReNgomeni
sponse Team at Kenya Port Authority
(KPA) within the territorial waters of
Marafa
Sheshala
Gongoni
Kenya. The Government
appointed
the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA)
as the responsible agency. An important element
of this plan is the mapMarikebuni
Baricho
Mambrui
ping of the coastal resources
and the
development of an Environmental
Garashi
Sabaki river
Sensitivity Atlas showing the sensi-
Kakoneni
tivity of the coast to marine oil spill. This atlas should be utilized as a tool in vulnerability assessments and provide oil
spill responders with sufficient information allowing them to prioritize the clean up efforts including the selection of ap-
Malindi
Ganda
propriate response tools.
Mayungu
Gede
Mida
Lailon Nduru
Samikaro
Mokowe
Mwana
Lamu
Matondoni
Manda Is.
Takwa Milinga
Shela
2°0'0"S
Kipungani
Mkunumbi
Ndambwe
Product summary
KenSea-Sens - Environmental Sensitivity Atlas
for the coast of Kenya
Mapenya
Witu
•
•
Nduru
Anasa
ro
Kiongwe
Kiponozi
Kinyika Is.
Extended environmental
Kilelengwani
sensitivity
ranking
Kau Tana river
A ready to use tool approved
byKidhanga
stakeholders
Ozi
Mlangumu
Tenewi Is.
Kipini
Ungwana
Marafa
Environmental Sensitivity
Shaka ruins
Ranking Shakiko
Wanawali
Ras Tenewi Is.
Kamwana
The ranking of the environmental sensitivity is a very specialist procedure, Ziwaiu Is.
which demands a good understanding
of the natural resource and human-use
Ungwana
Bay data in the coastal zone as well as a good understanding of the conflicts between stakeholders. GEUS
related
has in-house the necessary scientific staff and a good
record for managing these projects.
Kenya
dustry in
)
(OSMAG
um In
le
The Petro
Many attempts have been made worldwide to classify coastig
b
a
n
ee
lines regarding their vulnerability to oil pollution damage.
as now b
we
is Atlas h
r
e
th
ft
f
A
o
.
a
g
y
chin
They are usually based on the geomorphology, the degree
ry in Ken
The laun
Oil Indust
s
e
a
R
s
l
u
il
p
to
S
of exposure to wind and waves, and may also take other
ent
onal Oil
achievem
ta
elop Nati
u
v
o
e
d
h
it
to
w
t
t.
a
conditions into account... Most of these systems are ine gov
alized th
assisted th
, it was re
e.
n
v
ti
la
c
P
e
y
ff
c
2°30'0"S
e
n
spired by Gundlach and Hayes (1978) and the IMO publiontinge
will be in
sponse C
s the plan
a
tl
a
l
ta
n
e
cation on "Sensitivity Mapping for Oil Spill Resonse"
nvironm
coastal e
e
r
e
w
d
(IMO/IPIECA 1994)
roject an
for this p
g
e
in
d
id
n
v
o
fu
r
pr
S would
lobbied fo
that GEU
OSMAG
d
e
z
li
a
e
disaser
The classification adopted for this Atlas builds also on
have this
y when w
p
to
p
d
a
u
h
o
y
r
r
p
l
ve
e
fe
w
in
these systems. In addition to the coastal geomorphole no
oil spills
e atlas. W
ment of
e
g
a
us with th
n
a
m
ogy and degree of exposure the ecological value and
ol for
redness to
ter prepa
biodiversity as well as a number of human-us features
al area.
our coast
of the particular stretch of coastline are taken into acwould
e project
th
t
a
th
d
te
count.
less
ad indica
has taken
e govt. h
S
th
U
y
E
ll
G
ia
r
it
e
In
s. Howev
tions . An
two year
st
a
le
t
a
ur expecta
o
s
a
The sensitivity ranking system provides oil spill retake
t
c
je
pro
er during
plete the
ist
m
in
o
c
M
e
to
th
sponders with a useful tool during several steps in
time
made by
hich was
w
n
o
ti
a
the contingency process:
observ
s.
f this atla
o
g
in
h
c
the laun
higadi.
ick Mwas
Mr. Godr ator. OSMAG
Coordin
Technical
• during the pre-spill planning, in order to prepare
appropriate response strategies
for e.g. particularly threatened or vulnerable
areas or other areas that deserve special attention
Kikoneni
Chale Is.
Gazi
Msambweni
Ramisi
Kidimu
Majoreni
Lunga-Lunga
Funzi
Shimoni
Jego
Sii Is.
The Nationa
l Maritime A
uthority in K
(KMA)
enya
Kisite Is.
Wasini Is.
Vanga
KMA is grate
ful to have in
its disposal
sitivity Atlas
launched in
able tool to
NZANIA
to combat an
KMA because
the distributi
Coast and th
on of natura
optimize the response strategy under the given conditions and
limitations (oil type, weather, equipment, crew)
• during the clean-up operation to avoid post-spill damages,
minimize cost etc
Sensitivity ranking is one of several considerations during oil
spill contingency. Oil type and behaviour, weathering of the oil,
Oil Spill Sen
h was
a Base whic
The Atlas is
an
with the kno
l resources at
socio econo
invalu-
wledge of
the Kenyan
mic concern
s
an oil spill co Marafa
mbat become easier
to make. KM
A appreciates
heartedly an
this wholed acknowled
ges the supp
ort extended
by various d
evelopment
partners in m
aking this
project
Baricho
a reality. In
this regard w
e
m
ust mention
the United N
ational Devel
oGarashi
p
m
en
t
Programme
(UNDP), Geo
logical survey
of Denmark
land (GEUS).
and GreenWithout suchKakoneni
a
support the
would not h
Atlas
ave become
a reality. Such
a tool had
been long in
coming but
for long was
only a
dream.
decisions in
• during an oil spill combat in order to plan and continuously
e associated
e of tools at
incident the
and GIS. Dat
August 2006.
the repertoir
the event of
Ganda
meteorology, hydrography, safety of crew and equipment are
Mrs. Nancy
Kari
39°0'0"E
other topics to consider.
39°30'0"E
githu. Directo
r General.
Kenya Mariti
me Authority
Mida
The goal of oil spill response is to minimize the overall im-
Gede
Dobaso
pacts on natural and economic resources as well as cultural assets, but
Arabuko Sokoke Forest
some features will be of greater concern than others. The sensitivity ranking includes therefore the actual
Wat
sensitivity of the features and a more subtle valuation of importance
or ???????
Vitengeni
Uyombo
Environmental Sensitivity Atlas (KenSea-Sens)
Uyombo
The Environmental Sensitivity Atlas for the coast of Kenya (KenSea-Sens) is a good example of a project,
which did not result in a four colour report to be put on the shelves. GEUS has produced a number of map
sheets, which was taken into use immediately after the termination of the project and is now standard in the
offices and the ships of the Response Team. The atlas includes “Environmental Sensitivity Maps”
Petanguo
Ganze
Sokoke
Wafa
Whale Is.
Anasa
Samikaro
Kidhanga
Ozi
Kipini
Ungwana
Marafa
Wanawali
Shaka ruins
Shakiko
Ras Tenewi Is.
Kamwana
The Environmental Sensitivity Atlas for the Coastal Area of Kenya developed through the KenSea project contains three
types of maps which has been reproduced in 16 map sheets in scale 1: 50.000 to cover the
whole
cost line. In addition, 4
Ziwaiu
Is.
Karawa
map sheets in 1: 25.000 have been produced for the Mombasa Creek Area.
Logistics and Topographic Maps Ungwana Bay
An important tool in the response strategy is map sheets with reliable near shore information as towns, major constructions and especially access roads to the beach providing the possibility of bringing heavy equipment and man power to
the beach for clean-up operations, see
Coastal Resource Maps
The Coastal Resource Maps represent all available features of relevance. The features are grouped according to Human
Use, Coastal Types and Biological Resources, see details in table below.
Human-Use
Town andKinyaole
settlements
Roads, tracks, airstrips and ferries
Historical sites
Fundisa
Hotels
Ngomeni sites
Fish landing
Fish traps
Small Sheshala
scale fishing
Gongoni
Salt works
Water intake
Coastal Types
Mangrove
Sheltered rias
Tidal mud flats
Sheltered sand beach
Exposed sand beach
Rocky coast
Coral reefs and reef flats
Marikebuni
Mambrui
Sabaki river
Table 1 Features on the Coastal
Resource Map
Malindi
Ganda
All data has been included in the
interactive database (KenSeaBase) and with a modern GIS
Mayungu
tool it is possible to provide a
large number of stakeholders
with a multitude of thematic
Watamu
maps. The whole system has
been installed at Kenya Marine
Research and Fishery Institute
(KMFRI) in Mombasa.
Environmental Sensitivity Maps
The Environmental Sensitivity
Maps represents the sensitivity
40°0'0"E
Biological Resources
Turtle
Waders
Mangrove
Priority coral
Forest or thicket
Plantation
Papyrus swamp
Sand or mud
Seasonal swamp
Marine national park
Marine national reserve
Proposed marine national reserve
Rabai
Kajiweni
Mazeras
Mtwapa
Kidongo
Marini
Jomvu
index along the coastline. The sensitivity index is assigned to an index line running parallel to the shoreline at a distance
of 500 m off-shore, see map NN. The Oil Sensitivity Index
(SI) for each point or segment of the coast
is calculated simply
Mkupe
Bamburi
as the sum of index values for the features mentioned in table NN
Tunza
Nyali
Dongokundi
Stakeholder Involvement
and Approval
The NationMwangala
al Maritime Res
earch
Mdugani
Mombasa
Kibuyuni
InTimbwani
stitute in Ken
Shelly beach
Maphuphuni
The KenSea pr
oject has
ya (KMFRI)
4 key contributio
The environmental sensitivity
ns to KMFRI.
• Foremost is
the staff training
in
acquiring skills
maps are the final management
Kwale
in use of geogra
inform
ation systWaa
Matuga
phic
em
4°30'0"S
s.
It
be
ca
me necessar
toll produced by GEUS and it is
y to conduct trai
to key staff mem
ning in ArcGIS
bers who would
very important that the ranking
later be involved
handling user ne
in routine activ
ities of
eds of theKaya
procedure has been discussed
senswaa
iti
vi
ty
da
ta
ba
se
.
State of the art
Shimba Hills •
GIS equipment
with all stakeholders to obtain a
was donated to
Tiwi
the Institute to
Tiwi
install and oper
be able to
ate the database
general consensus of the priori. This has ensu
re
d
private and publ
th
at key sectors bo
Kango
ties behind the ranking. In this
ic sector
th in
s in Kenya bene
fit from this da
• Consequen Ukunda
ta
ba
se
tly as a thirDiani
.
way the maps become an operad contribution,
the Institute ha
on
e
s
of
be
its
en
core mandates,
tional tool for immediate use by
able to fulfil
prevention and
m
an
ag
em
cr
iti
en
ca
t
l shoreline and
of pollution in
the Response Team..
m
arine ecosystem
shoreline resour
Mwape
ces.
Lukore
The ranking
should integrate a
•
information on
The
Mwabungulast
multitude of information on geoMiwani
logical properties, wave exposure,
biological diversity and productiv-
s by providing
contributio
n touches on pu
Mvulene
blicity gained by
hosting this im Mwanyaza
the Institute in
portant database
.
The amount of
recognition ga
ined is reflected
in the support
the Cabinet Min
received when
ister agreed to
officiate in the
human use and cultural assets pu
bl
O
ic
ther organisatio
launching of th
Kikoneni
ns have request
e project.
ed partnerships
properties that are not directly
Chale
Is.
Gazi
related to marin
with the Institu
te on issues
e spatial inform
comparable or quantifiable
ation managem
Msambweni
ent. The Oil Sp
Group (OSMAG
ill Mutual Aid
), a private sect
within the same scale of values.
or organisation
has also benefit
on how to use
ed from lectures
the sensitivity da
The outcome should ideally be a
tabase during an
oil spill.
simple statement,
a numerical
Ramisi
ity, oil behaviour, ease of clean-up,
TANZAN
index value, or a colour code.
Majoreni
Director of Kenya
Kidimu
Comparing and evaluation of
Dr. Johnson Kaz
ungu.
Marin Research
and Fishery Inst
itute
Funzi
incomparable features is a matter of interest
and negotiation, and no true or perfect system can be established. A complicated system is
not necessarily better and more accurate than a simple system or qualified judgements. But it is a requirement that the
Shimoni
level of details match the purpose and leaves the decision-makers with some alternatives. E.g. 20 km coastline with exactly
the same sensitivity index value is not of much help. Another requirement is that the system is transparent and generally
Sii Is.
accepted byWasini
stakeholders
Is.
5°0'0"S
The index
value assigned
to each type of feature is based on the discussions at a stakeholder seminar where al major
Kisite
Is.
stakeholders from private sector, public sector, NGOs and the operational response team. The final Oil Sensitivity Index
shows values from 2 to more than 20 and these values are then represented along the index line by a colour code of 5
colours.
39°0'0"E
Kango
Ukunda
Diani
Mwape
Lukore
Mwabungu
Mvulene
Mwanyaza
Miwani
Kikoneni
Gazi
Chale Is.
Msambweni
Ramisi
Majoreni
Lunga-Lunga
Kidimu
Funzi
Shimoni
Jego
Sii Is.
Vanga
Wasini Is.
Kisite Is.
It is important to note that the index
ntal NGO. (IUCN)
The International Environme
value does not represent a sort of absolute value at any scale. It is mostly a
Kenya
matter of making changes of sensitivity
ity Atlas for Coastal Area of
The Environmental Sensitiv
lp
he
to
for
k
loo
we
l
too
visible along the index line. An impory the sort of
produced by GEUS is exactl
ely
rem
ext
an
es
vid
pro
as
Atl
. The
tant use of the index will be to select
us in this strategic approach
will be used
ich
wh
ast
co
an
ny
Ke
the
which areas to protect and where to let
useful and detailed map of
tion. The Atlas proen
erv
int
on
ati
erv
ns
co
for
the oil strand within a coastal strip of
in prioritising areas
thesis of geological and
syn
e
ibl
ess
acc
d
an
t
en
ell
few kilometre and the most important
vides an exc
in
Kenya, which is very helpful
for
on
ati
orm
inf
at
bit
ha
al
coast
is that all stakeholders agree on the
sitivity
to generate the detailed sen
planning. The analyses used
priorities in the index line, which pros that are
al habitat sensitivity indice
maps provide us with coast
d
an
nt
vide the oils spill response team with a
coastal zone manageme
highly relevant to prioritizing
n operational tool to react quickly and
conservation.
competent on a spill.
d Coastal
an
e
rin
Ma
–
tor
ina
ord
Co
l
Dr Melita Samoilys. Regiona
Eastern Africa Regional Office.
Integrated Coastal Zone
Ecosystems Programme - IUCN
Nairobi. Kenya
ANIA
"E
Management (ICZM)
The Government of Kenya has identified a need for a National Plan on Coastal
Areas as a National Priority and has mandated NEMA National Environmental management Authority) to coordinate all
39°30'0"E
actions and guide the development and testing of a framework for ICZM planning in cooperation
with donors, lead agen-
cies, local communities and other stakeholders.
Kajiweni
Mazeras
Mtwapa
Kidongo
Marini
Jomvu
ICZM is a system designed to deal
with diverse and interlinked issues to promote sustainable development principles as
cial sustainability. ICZM includes:
Integration of plans for
economic development,
environmental management, land use;
•
Integration of plans for e.g.
food production, energy,
water resources and tourism;
•
Integration of responsibilities for various tasks among
levels of government - local,
provincial, national, international - and between the
publicLukore
and private sectors;
•
Integration of available resources for management (i.e.
personnel, funds, equipment);
•
Bamburi
the Environmental Sector in
Dongokundi
environmental, economic and so-
•
Mkupe
g in
An Bilateral Donor operatin
Kenya
Tunza
Integration among disciplines
Kikoneni
(e.g. marine biology, economics,
engineering and law).
Nyali
Mombas
er with the Swedish
eign Affairs (Danida), togeth
The Danish Ministry for For
Kibuyuni
Mwangala ently commenced the Environmental
rec
y,
enc
Ag
ent
opm
vel
International De
Timbwani
Mdugani
yan Ministry for
h the Ken
wit
er
eth
tog
ya
Ken
Shelly
beach
in
t
jec
Programme Support pro
Maphuphuni
Management
al
ent
nm
viro
En
ces, the National
our
Res
al
tur
Na
&
ent
nm
Enviro
d. One of the inity Development Trust Fun
un
mm
Co
the
and
),
MA
Kwale
y (NE
Agenc
Waa
rated
Matuga ental
support programme is “Integ
nm
tended outputs of the enviro
ement modalities de(ICZM) planning and manag
Coastal Zone Management
NEMA and relevant stakeweenwaa
joint effort betKaya
a
h
oug
thr
ted
pilo
and
d
velope
Shimba Hills
t, during
sultants have indicated tha
holders”. Danida and its con Tiwi
Tiwi
to utilise the base
t ICZM project, they intend
implementation of the pilo
KenSea. Further, the
Kango
thematic maps developed for
maps, GIS framework, and Ukunda
age
from the KenSea tsunami dam
developed
Diani
as
n,
atio
nd
inu
ly
like
of
extent
stal zone planning.
t consideration during coa
project, will be an importan
Mwape
s with responsibilities
national and local authoritie
It is hoped that other Kenya
h also utilise
Mwabungu
ivities in the coastal zone wit
Mvulene
act
ng
nti
me
ple
im
and
ing
nn
for pla
Mwanyaza
with Danish
tic maps that were developed
ma
the
Miwani
and
e
bas
the
n
upo
and buildd that the maps
s outcome, GEUS has ensure
funding. To help facilitate thi
& Fisheries Research
ed with the Kenya Marine
were installed and maintain
Institute.
sult
Chale
Is.
Gazi
en. Mott MacDonald Eurocon
mp
Ke
n
va
s
Tie
nt
lta
nsu
Co
l
Principa
Msambweni
In Kenya NEMA has brought together key stakeholders in a workshop to decide on the way forward for the process.
Ramisi
This workshop agreed on a number of follow-up activities to be spearheaded by NEMA as a part of the future developKidimu
ment Majoreni
of the management of the coastal zone.
Funzi
Shimoni
Contact person at GEUS. Director
John Tychsen;
JT@GEUS.DK
; Phone +45 3814 2152; Mob.: +45 2147 4331
Sii Is.
Vanga
Wasini Is.
Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland
Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350
Copenhagen K, Denmark
Kisite Is.
GEUS is a research and advisory institution in the Danish Ministry of the Environment and a member of
Geocenter Denmark which is a formalised cooperation between the Geological Survey of Denmark and
Greenland and two institutions of the University of Copenhagen: the Geological Museum and the Department of Geography and Geology
G E U S