As part of its support to the WACA Program, IUCN highlights the increasing pressures threatening sandy beaches and coastal dunes in West Africa. Erosion, sea-level rise, coastal infrastructure, and sand mining are driving the degradation of these ecosystems, which are critical nesting sites for turtles and bird species.

As part of its support to the WACA Program, IUCN highlights—through this visual—the major threats to mangroves in West Africa. Preserving these vital ecosystems requires coordinated regional action in the face of rising sea levels, deforestation, and increasing human pressures

Produced by the Waca ResiP Senegal Project, this video highlights the consequences of coastal erosion in Senegal and will serve to measure the real impact of physical and social investments aimed at protecting coastal communities from the sea's advance.

Mauritania has a master plan for the management of its coastline which has been in the implementation phase since 2016

Coastal erosion is a naturally occurring process that is accelerated by human impacts. Artificial stabilization of the shoreline, the deterioration of natural formations, the construction of infrastructure, the extraction of materials, and the proliferation of dams deprive fragile coastal areas of important sediment deposits, which leads to erosion.

The West African coastline is home to major industries, mining activities, peri-urban and agro-industry, and tourism, as well as urban and seaside residences, all of which generate waste and cause pollution. Many areas along the coast also lack adequate wastewater and solid waste management systems.

The effects of climate change—from changing precipitation patterns to rising seas—will exacerbate the coastal erosion already affecting West Africa.