Undergraduate Proposal Defense Sample.pptx

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1. ASSESSING THE VULNERABILITY OF FLOODING IN PAYNESVILLE USING GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY (NEEZOE COMMUNITY AS A CASE STUDY) An Undergraduate Research Project Proposal Aletha S. Kaidii ID#: 74102 Mr. G. Yekeh Zaza Supervisor 5/1/2024 Department of Environmental Studies and Climate Change University of Liberia 1

2. Introduction – Background of the Research Vulnerability is a set of prevailing or resulting conditions that impair a community's ability to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, or respond to hazards (Asian et al. Center (ADPC), (2005). It includes determining how much human life and livelihoods are threatened by some discrete and identifiable event in nature or society. Vulnerability is also described in the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) (2004) as defined conditions due to physical, social, economic, and environmental factors or processes that increase a community's Vulnerability to the effects of hazards. 5/1/2024 2 This concept will aims to identify the most significant factors that contribute to a community's Vulnerability when it comes to natural disasters, particularly floods. River floods are known to be the most destructive natural disasters in the world, causing the most significant loss of life and property damage compared to other natural phenomena. Although not the leading cause of death in Liberia, floods have a substantial impact on people, often displacing them from their homes. In recent years, floods have become more frequent and widespread, affecting around 70 million people worldwide yearly, with over 800 million living in flood-prone areas. Climate change, heavier rainfall, rising sea levels, rapid population growth, urbanization, ineffective flood control measures, and lack of awareness of flood risks all contribute to the increasing frequency of floods . The economic consequences of floods reported in the last two decades amount to tens of billions of US dollars ( Guha -Sapir et al., 2013). In 2012, 32.9% of all-natural disasters in the United States were hydrological, with most floods affecting more than 9 million people and causing approximately $0.58 billion in damages (EM-DAT, 2015). African countries have also had disastrous experiences in recent years. For example, between August and September 2007, around 1.5 million people were affected, and more than 300 were killed in floods that swept through 22 countries from the east coast to the west coast of the continent. Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the worst affected (National et al., 2007). The number of floods in Liberia was significant. More than 90 percent of heavy rains in Liberia are estimated to cause major flooding. In most cases, available flood statistics do not apply to the local community. Department of Environmental Studies and Climate Change University of Liberia

3. 1. Introduction – Research Questions and Objectives 5/1/2024 3 My research questions that I will use to do to my project are: What are the factors causing flooding in the study area? Which areas in the study area are vulnerable to flood hazards? What proportion of the population is affected in the event of flooding in the study area? What are the consequences of flooding in the study area? Objectives of the study will be The general objective of this study is to assess the Vulnerability of Flooding in Paynesville using geospatial Technology ( Neezoe Community as a case study)   Specific objectives Determine the contribution of factors causing flooding in the study area; Locate and create a flood hazard map of areas vulnerable to flooding in the study area; Estimate the population at risk in the event of flood in the study area and Examine the effects of flooding in the study area; Department of Environmental Studies and Climate Change University of Liberia

4. 1. Introduction – Purpose and Significance of the Study 5/1/2024 4 The findings of this project will be helpful to the government, policy makers, and the region in implementing catastrophe control reaction machines and strengthening capacities to lessen damages related to herbal dangers together with floods within the examined area. The flood activities led to flooding of the roads, farmlands, and vegetation submerging. Department of Environmental Studies and Climate Change University of Liberia

5. 2. Methodology – Research Design 5/1/2024 5 Data Acquisition During the project, secondary data will be used. They include Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM, Landsat 8 image (30m) resolution, Liberia National Population Census data from Liberia Institute Statistics and GIS, the study area administrative boundary, and rainfall data. Department of Environmental Studies and Climate Change University of Liberia

6. 2. Methodology – Research locale (if applicable ) 5/1/2024 6 Study Area The Neezoe community is located in District #3, Montserado County, Republic of Liberia. A highly noticeable swamp has been severely eroded at the location, exposing the subsoil due to borrowing laterite from the surface. Department of Environmental Studies and Climate Change University of Liberia

7. 2. Methodology – Instrumentation and/or Data Sources 5/1/2024 7 SRTM (Shuttle et al.) The SRTM will be used to generate a digital elevation model in this study. The DEM is an array of pixels with a height value. (Michael, 2004) This study will utilized an SRTM DEM with a 30m spatial resolution. It had a radiometric resolution of 1ARC. The Earth Explorer (USGS, 2000) provided this information.   LANDSAT 8 Data The study area's Land Use/Land Cover will be determined using Landsat 8 data. Liberia National Population Census Data (2022) The demographic information will be used to identify the inhabitants of flood-prone and non-vulnerable regions. The information will be obtained from the Liberian Institute of Statistics and Geographical Information Service. Department of Environmental Studies and Climate Change University of Liberia

8. 2. Methodology – Data collection and Proposed Analytical Method 5/1/2024 8 Spatial Analysis This includes the generation of digital elevation, the extraction of the stream network from the DEM, the buffering of both the stream network and the Atlantic Ocean, the creation of land use/cover, and the creation of a flood vulnerability map.   Land Use/Land Cover of the Study Area A band combination of band 432 will create an actual color image of the Landsat 8 image in the ERDAS IMAGINE. An accurate hue image was achieved by employing this band combination. The color image was extracted by overlaying the shape file of the study area. The resulting scavenged image was sorted in the geographic information system into four categories: built, wetlands, vegetation, and a body of water. The study area's land use/cover was re-categorized, and risk ratings were assigned. The risk rating was determined by the probability of the classes triggering or assisting in floods. A risk score of one (1) was assigned to the water body, which indicates that flooding events are more likely to occur in its vicinity. Wetland received a risk score of two and was deemed vulnerable. The built-up area was given a three-point hazard rating and was considered somewhat vulnerable. Human-caused events, such as clogged drainages, construction along waterways, etc , determined the risk rating for a city's construction. Four (4) hazards were assigned to vegetation. Digital Elevation Model It will be necessary to generate DEM to see spatial entities, according to Arum (2003). The output raster, as previously demonstrated by Ikusemoran et al. (2014), was classified as (1) River valley, (2) Floodplain, (3) Upland, and (4) Highland. The elevation data will be use to create this description.   Stream buffering The stream will be determine using the spatial analysis tools. The idea of buffering the stream was rooted in the knowledge base, as suggested by Forkuo (2011). The recollection of previous flooding along the river will be used to create a buffer zone at 500 and 1000 meters, respectively. The 500-meter circle will be assigned a risk score of one (1) and will be considered highly vulnerable. The Neezoe Community in the 1000 meters received a two-point hazard rating and were deemed vulnerable. Buffering the Atlantic Ocean The ocean will not be included in the study, but its impact on calamities caused by water should be investigated. The analysis encompassed multiple criteria. Based on the extent of sea floods in areas like New Kru Town and West Point, 500 and 1000 meters of buffering will be use. The hazard rating for the 500-meter buffer zones was one (1), indicating they were considered highly vulnerable. The hazard rating for those in the 1000-meter buffer zone was two (2), making them considered vulnerable. Department of Environmental Studies and Climate Change University of Liberia

9. 4. Timeline ( Format: Times New Roman, Bold, 12 pts, 1.5 line spacing – 1 to 2 slides ) 5/1/2024 9 This may include, for example: Proposal writing: [date here] Data Collection & Analysis: [date here] Write Chapters 4 & 5: [date here] Send thesis draft to committee: [date here] Thesis defense: [date here] Revisions: [date here] Final thesis draft completed: [date here] ( Format: Times New Roman, Regular, 12 pts, 1.5 line spacing ) Department of Environmental Studies and Climate Change University of Liberia