Factors of coastal erosion in the Republic of Аbkhazia

Abkhazia is located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. To the south, the republic is washed by the Black Sea, with a coastline stretching for 229 kilometers. This is an area of active contact between the land and the sea. The majority of population in Abkhazia lives along the coast. Consequently, communications are concentrated here, and civil construction is actively underway. More than 90% of recreational and infrastructure facilities are located along the coast, as well as transportation links, residential buildings, and commercial facilities. In current rapidly expanding commercial and recreational environment, the pressure on the coastal zone is significantly increasing, leading to increased abrasion, landslides, and beach erosion. Meanwhile, scientific research and survey work are extremely limited, and the methods used to protect the coast from natural and anthropogenic damage are often ineffective and localized. The overall coastal pressure is increasing. In some coastal areas, the coast has reached the state where restoration through natural processes is impossible. Existing coastal protection structures require repair or complete reconstruction. Comprehensive coastal protection is lacking. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive coastal protection plan. Coastal protection must be considered as a comprehensive, unified whole. Addressing coastal zone issues in Abkhazia at the level of individual local authorities and agencies is unacceptable. Complex natural and anthropogenic processes occurring in the area require continuous monitoring of the entire coastal zone of Abkhazia.

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