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Usefulness

Data

Data Needs

The Coastal Development Index is a good indicator

Several of the underlying datasets are available, but

of development-based pressure on coastal areas

the Coastal Development Index parameters need to

because it combines both direct measures and

be extracted from various sources and analyzed. At

surrogate measures of the impact of human

this time, some GIS-based information on coastal

activity. In this regard, it captures the key elements

land cover is available2,3.

of land-based pressures that can then be used to

Additional data are needed regarding: land tenure

anticipate associated changes in the coastal marine

agreements, specific uses of converted land, land

environment.

development programs, and coastal emigration and

The higher the CDI score, the greater the level of

immigration.

alteration and the greater the potential impacts on

the marine environment. The design of the CDI is

Sergio Hoare / WCS

such that it can be used to make assessments both

at the regional and local scales based on variations in

the Population Growth Rate parameter, which varies

significantly across the region. The interpretation of

this indicator is most meaningful when combined

with coastal development impact indicators such

as sedimentation rate, water quality or extent of

mangroves. In this regard, the ecological indicators

could be useful in validating the CDI results as well as

establishing linkages to environmental change.

Status

Coastal Development Index values are not yet available

for the MAR. Preliminary results will be drafted in the

near future.

Calculating the Coastal Development Index

Index

Unit of Expression

Maximum Intensity*

Means of Calculation

Component

Coastal

= Population Density

Population

Number of people per km2

200 people/km2

200/km2 **

Density (CPD)

Coastal

Percent of land converted (expressed

Conversion

1

as a proportion between 0 and 1) per

Already expressed as a 0 to 1 value.**

Ratio

(i.e. all land converted)

km2 ***

(CCR)

Coastal Road

=

Road Density

Meters per km2

20,000 m/km2

Density (CRD)

20,000 m/km2 **

Land

= Conversion Rate

Conversion Rate Ratio (0 to 1)

0.1 km2/yr

0.1 km2/yr **.

(LCR)

Population

=

Growth Rate

Growth Rate

Ratio (0 to 1)

Growth rate of 0.15 per year

0.15 **

(PGR)

CDI Value

Final Index Score

= CPD+CCR+CRD+LCR+PGR

(Where higher scores indicate higher levels of development)

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* Maximum Intensity ­ is defined as the value or level at which development components are at their highest in the MAR.

** Rules for calculating values:

1.

CPD > 1 is assigned a score of 1.

2.

CCR = 1 means all land has been converted.

3.

CRD > 1 is assigned a score of 1.

4.

LCR > 1 is assigned a score of 1.

5.

PGR > 1 is assigned a score of 1.

D1

*** Example: 20% of land converted is expressed as 0.20.

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