In South Africa, terrestrial and marine assessment and planning have traditionally been separate exercises, forming different communities of research and management. Although there is growing understanding that planning must take account of both land and the sea, the multiple and diverse land-sea interactions are still poorly understood by researchers as well as stakeholder communities and decision-makers. There are also data and information gaps regarding environmental as well as social aspects of the coast.
CoastWise addressed these gaps by developing new data and methods for coastal assessment and planning in support of improved integrated management in South Africa, and by increasing coastal literacy and the visibility of local knowledge. CoastWise improved the integrated assessment of South Africa’s land-sea interface to enhance the knowledge base for informed decision-making. The project used new and innovative technology such as high-resolution remote sensing and drones, but also included social science components to identify socio-cultural knowledge and values.
