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Factors Affecting Flood Disasters in Small Island Developing States and Potential Adaptation Measures: The Case of Funchal City, Portugal
Author(s) -
MataLima Herlander,
AlvinoBorba Andreilcy,
Aguiar Roberto,
Drumond João
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
environmental quality management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.249
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1520-6483
pISSN - 1088-1913
DOI - 10.1002/tqem.21458
Subject(s) - flood myth , flash flood , floodplain , geography , small island developing states , socioeconomic status , deforestation (computer science) , water resource management , environmental planning , environmental protection , climate change , environmental science , cartography , environmental health , population , geology , archaeology , medicine , oceanography , computer science , programming language
This work highlights the evolution of flood disasters and their impacts upon environmental and socioeconomic aspects both worldwide and in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in particular. For our research, we reviewed the stress factors affecting flood disasters and performed surveys of two focus groups in Funchal municipality on Madeira Island (Portugal). Our research identifies the main causes of the serious impacts that flash floods can have on Funchal city. These include: The occupation of floodplain areas, Canalization of water courses, Erosion and transport of soil from upstream hillslopes due to deforestation, and Intensive precipitation of long duration.