The Study of Coastal Vulnerability in South Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province

The presence of anthropogenic activities in the coastal areas of the South Central Timor (SCT) Regency has weakened coastal resilience, which may exacerbate the impact of rising sea levels. One important factor that needs to be analyzed is the vulnerability assessment. This study, conducted from July to September 2024, aimed to determine the spatial distribution and variables that can influence the vulnerability in the coastal areas. The methods used were the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) and the Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI), which then used Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) to perform the standardization value. The integrated index values were then integrated into the Geographic Information System (GIS) for comprehensive spatial information. The results showed that, in general, the coastal areas of the SCT Regency were in the low (35%), medium (48%), and high (66%) risk categories. Areas of high physical vulnerability were alluvial lowland areas and those near hills. The karst hills that are characteristic of the coastal areas of the SCT regency have become a threat to the lives of coastal communities. Communities living in coastal hill areas, including the Kolbano and Oetuke coasts, and in the alluvial lowlands like the Tuafanu, Kualin, and Oni coasts, need to be the focus and priority areas for recovery efforts. This is due to the high level of vulnerability, both physically and socio-economically. Geomorphology is the primary contributor to physical vulnerability because these coastal hills and lowlands are prone to erosion and land degradation caused by waves, tides, and human activities. On the socio-economic side, land use, particularly mining activities, increases vulnerability by degrading the environment and threatening the livelihood of coastal communities. Key recovery efforts should focus on revegetation, which can help stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, and restore ecological balance while offering sustainable economic benefits to the local population.