Relative vulnerability of coastal Wilayats to development: a study of Al-Batinah North, Oman

This paper presents an analysis of anthropogenic pressures in terms of indicators which would contribute to the relative vulnerability of coastal Wilayats (Administrative Zones) to development and related activities in the Al-Batinah North region of Oman. The main objective of this work is to rank each Wilayat based on the pressure indicators to provide inputs for local stakeholders involved in coastal management by developing a sense of understanding on the relative vulnerability of coastal Wilayats. The study of using pressure indicators would help to identify, key development pressures with the potential to affect coastal ecosystems. This would also enable to identify a Wilayat having strong driving forces for development and to determine which Wilayat’s coastal ecosystems are most affected and relatively experiencing anthropogenic pressures. Results of ranking exercise indicated that Suwaiq and Sohar Wilayats are more vulnerable, having pressures of studied drivers such as agriculture and urbanization. The identified pressure indicators presented in this study could be used to design coastal monitoring systems that can help further development of holistic environmental and socio-economic indicators for the coast.