Developing a Geoportal for Services Providing about Coastal Ecosystems Mapping, Monitoring and Assessment of the North Africa Coastal Zone

Abstract

The costal ecosystems information is diverse and large in size and always require regular updates to reflect reality and being effective in analysis. The analysis of these multi-sectorial data to meet decision makers and stakeholders’ expectations, there is a need for robust mechanism of analysis and dissemination of the information across all levels. The online geoportal is a technical solution to this challenge to allow the data and information easily accessible and online analyzed to generate services for decision makers and beneficiaries. This paper presents a focus on developing an operational Geoportal for coastal zone management in all north African countries to enable for accessibility of services for Coastal Ecosystems Mapping, Monitoring and Assessment. It is an essential component of the regional project EOOS-NAfCoast” funded from the African Union Commission and European Union Commission. The proposed Geoportal is aimed at providing a unified online platform for institutions and organizations in the Northern Africa countries to work collaboratively and exchange data and information on a regional level with full data protection and security. It will enable us to provide regular services and information to different levels about marine variables such as sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a, wind and waves. It will also be extended to the coastal ecosystems of fish farms, water quality, coastal geomorphological features as well vulnerability maps of the natural hazards on