Comprehensive coastal vulnerability assessment and adaptation for Cherating-Pekan coast, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract Climate change is having a profound impact on most coastal regions around the world. Sea Level Rise (SLR) has exposed the coastal regions to various threats, such as inundation and erosion, which consequently influence the coastal environments. The main objective of this study is to assess the coastal vulnerability index (CVI) of the Pahang coast. This CVI comprises six variables, i.e. coastal geomorphology, coastal slope, rate of erosion and accretion, mean significant wave height, mean tidal range and rate of sea level rise. The vulnerability levels for 18 management units along the Cherating-Pekan coast are classified into five vulnerability rankings: very low, low, moderate, high and very high, based on the rating values of the above mentioned parameters. The findings indicated that two areas, namely Tjg Payang - Sg Balok and Cheruk Paloh - Kuala Pahang were categorized as high vulnerability level with 97.22% and 91.67% respectively. Meanwhile, 5.56% and 22.22% of the 87 km Cherating-Pekan coastline has low and very low vulnerability. Furthermore, the CVI values of 33.33% and 27.78% represent the high and moderate vulnerability category, respectively. Finally, the outcome of this study provides a comprehensive framework which can be used by researchers, decision makers and relevant authorities to formulate and implement mitigation and adaptation measures in an effort to address the impacts of climate change on coastal regions.