Special Issue on the Variability of Coastal Management and Biophysical Ecosystems in West and Central Africa
Short title of the special issue : WACA-VAR 25
The Special Issue is related to the 3rd West and Central African Coastal Areas- Mapping Vulnerability, Adaptability and Resilience in a changing climate. Conference Date and Venue : 30 September to 02 October 2025.
This special issue will address the urgent challenges and opportunities of coastal management and ecosystem sustainability in West and Central Africa. Coastal biophysical ecosystems in the region, particularly aquatic systems, are experiencing rapid degradation due to climate-driven erosion, pollution, and biodiversity loss. At the same time, responses remain fragmented, short-term, and often externally funded, raising concerns about sustainability and local ownership.
The issue will focus on three interconnected themes:
- Drivers and impacts of coastal ecosystem change that will be generated from empirical studies on erosion, habitat loss, and changing ecosystem services.
- Innovative management and governance strategies which should examine locally grounded, interdisciplinary approaches that integrate science, community, and policy perspectives.
- Sustainable financing and knowledge systems where funding models, capacity development, and the revitalization of basic science and local knowledge in long-term coastal management are explored.
By bringing together research, policy, and practice, this special issue seeks to fill critical knowledge gaps and highlight transformative solutions tailored to the specific contexts of West and Central Africa. We welcome contributions that provide comparative insights, showcase community-led practices, or propose new theoretical frameworks. Collectively, these papers will advance regional and global debates on coastal sustainability and resilience.
Topics to be included
- Assessing climate and anthropic influence on socio-ecosystems
- Innovative tools for scientists and decision makers
- Interdisciplinary indicators of vulnerability and resilience
- Building knowledge and expert decisions
- Integrating data in management
Target audience
Number of expected papers : Full special issue consisting of up to 5-6 papers
Open call for papers from global researchers : Yes
Timeline
- Call for Abstracts distributed – December 1, 2025
- Deadline for abstracts – February 1, 2026
- Review of abstracts – February 1- March 1, 2026
- Notification of authors – March 10, 2026
- Deadline for manuscripts – May 10, 2026
Email address for submissions
committee@wacavar.net
Managing Guest Editor
Prof. Allassane Ouattara, Environment and Aquatic Biology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science and Management, Nangui Abrogoua, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, ouattaraallassane.sge@univ-na.ci
Guest Editors
- Dr Rafael Almar, LEGOS, Toulouse, France
- Dr Bapentire Donatus Angnuureng, ACECoR, Centre for Coastal Management, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
- Pr Grégoire Ondoa Abessolo, National Advanced School of Maritime and Ocean Science and Technology (NASMOST), The University of Ebolowa, Cameroon
- Dr Lamine Ndiaye, Centre de Suivi Ecologique, BP 15532, Dakar Sénégal
- Dr Clara Therville, SENS, Montpellier, France/and UGB, Saint Louis, Senegal
- Dr Olusegun Adekoyejo Dada, Department of Marine Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
- Prof. Precious Mattah, ACECoR, Centre for Coastal Management, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
