ABSTRACT
This chapter presented herein uses the advantage of mapping coastal vulnerability index (CVI) results in a geographic information systems (GIS) environment in order to analyse Niger Delta's physical, social and human influence on the environment in case that a flooding event will occur on the Niger River. The CVI obtained as such is a composite one, and it is called coastal vulnerability index due to sea level rise (CVSLRI). Highly vulnerable coastlines expose the inland areas to effects of Sea Level Rise (SLR), serving as a gateway for inundation, storm surge and coastal erosion. The results of the CVSLRI for the Niger delta shows that 42.6% of the coast is highly vulnerable to effects of SLR like flooding, erosion, and salt water intrusion into underground aquifers. Human influence on coastal environments can affect sediment supply and accelerate erosion, and should therefore be captured in vulnerability assessments.
