Vulnerability of the Nile Delta to sea level rise: An assessment using remote sensing

Abstract

The Nile Delta covers only 2% of Egypt's area but hosts 41% of the country's population and comprises 63% of its agricultural land. Analysis of digital elevation models revealed that 18.1% of the delta lies below the mean sea level, 12.7% has an elevation between 0 and 1 m, and 13.1% lies between 1 and 2 m. If the sea level rises by 1 or 2 m, these areas are prone to be flooded. The western section of the delta is most vulnerable to a 1 m sea level rise, whereas the entire coastal areas are impacted by flooding when the sea level rises by 2 m. Locations susceptible to inundation encompass urban neighbourhoods, agricultural areas and coastal wetlands. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.