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Environment
and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Environment
and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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CSI info 15
3. METHODOLOGY
The methodology for project implementation is
detailed below:
A
customized manual was prepared for each island describing the routines for
use of the ‘Beach Profile Analysis’ programme.
The
existing beach change databases, previously analysed using a customized
Lotus 123 spreadsheet programme, were converted to the ‘Beach Profile
Analysis’ programme format.
Quality
control of the beach change databases was undertaken.
Trend
graphs were prepared showing changes in profile area and width over time at
all the beach profile sites.
Beach
change databases were compiled for each island, these were computer-based,
with paper copies, and consisted of the following:
list of contents;
map showing the location of the beach profile sites;
customized manual describing the routines for use of the ‘Beach Profile Analysis’ programme;
data for each profile site consisting of:
table showing values for beach profile area and width, as well as annual means;
composite graph showing different beach profiles superimposed on top of each other;
trend graph showing the variations in beach profile area and beach profile width over time.
(Appendix II shows for a sample site, Morris Bay in
Antigua, a data table, composite profile graph and
trend graph).
Two
visits were made to each island, for a period of up to five days each,
including travel days. After
each island visit, a mission report was prepared and sent to UNESCO-CSI,
as well as the UNESCO
Port of Spain Office. These reports described the background to the monitoring
programme, the objectives of the visit, the activities undertaken during the
visit, and an assessment of the results. Appendix III contains a schedule
for the island visits.
During
the first visit, the ‘Beach Profile Analysis’ programme
and the updated beach change database were installed
on computer at the main partner agency. Paper copies and back-up diskettes
were provided. Officers of the main partner agency were trained in the use
of the programme and the management of the database, specifically in
entering, saving and retrieving the data as well as utilizing other routines
such as the preparation of composite profile graphs and trend graphs. In
some islands further training was also provided in the field techniques for
beach monitoring.
During
the second visit, the use of the software and the database was evaluated,
and additional training was provided as necessary. Meetings were held with
other agencies, e.g. Physical Planning, and where appropriate, the software
and database were installed and training provided in its use.
Together, with partner agencies, one-day workshops on ‘Wise Coastal Practices for Beach Management’ were held for government and non-governmental organizations and civil society, to highlight the availability of the beach change information base in each island and to discuss issues relating to beach management (see Chapter 5).
3.1
Beach Profile Analysis Programme
As part of the UPR-SGCP
support to the COSALC project and to this present
CDB-UNESCO
project, a fully-compiled software programme was prepared by Dr. David F. Gray
under the UPR-SGCP
contract MPRD-11-75-1-98. This
programme, entitled ‘Beach Profile Analysis,’ was written using the Delphi
language, and utilizes the Windows (95 or higher) operating system.
It provides for data analysis and the graphical representation of beach
change trends and specifically the following:
entry of beach profile data collected in the field;
computation of beach profile area and width;
graphical plots of beach profiles;
composite plots showing several profiles on the same graph;
preparation of data tables for individual sites showing values for profile cross sectional area and profile width as well as annual means;
preparation of trend graphs showing changes in profile area and width over time.
The programme has four main routines: data entry,
graphical plots of the beach profiles, data tables, and trend graphs.
The profiles and graphs can be easily transferred to word processing
documents.
The programme has fully compiled ‘Help’ files, and in addition there is a written manual, which describes the routines. The software and indeed all the monitoring protocols used in this project has been designed for use by people with very little computing or surveying skills/experience.
