Landuse/Landcover Dynamics and Land Degradation Susceptibility Analyses in Kutaber Wereda using Geospatial Tools

Kasssaw, Merkebu (2010) Landuse/Landcover Dynamics and Land Degradation Susceptibility Analyses in Kutaber Wereda using Geospatial Tools. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

LandUse/landCover changes occurred from 1973 to 2010 and land degradation susceptibility analyses were investigated in Kutaber wereda of South Wollo Zone; Amhara regional state, on an area of 719.92 km2 which was monitored using geospatial tools together with field verifications. In addition to these, different metrological and other ancillary data were used for the study. The study area is a reflection of the Ethiopian highland degradation in many ways because of land degradation, deforestation, land fragmentation, steep slope cultivation are also common features in the study area. These problems have been the driving forces to Landuse/landcover changes in many parts of Ethiopia. The objective of this study is to understand and analyze the long term dynamics of Landuse/landcover change and developing the susceptibility of land degradation map. Results from landcover change dynamics show an increase in agricultural land from 21.59% in 1973 to 51.76% in 2010, with mainly at the expense of grass land, forest land and Shrub land respectively. On the contrary, forest land, shrub land and grass land decreased from 15.21%, 27.58% and 20.6% in 1973 to1.2%, 21.78% and 4.05% in 2010 respectively. Due to the rapid expansion of urban and rural settlement in the second period (1986 – 2010) shows that 8.65% of settlement existed in 2010, with mainly at the expense of grass land. Rate of landcover change and landcover conversion matrix clearly showed that the dynamics of different landcover classes over the study periods. Land degradation susceptibility map of the study area have been produced using multi criteria decision evaluation. Five model parameters: slope, landuse classes, soil type, population and Rain fall intensity have been used to run the susceptibility model. The result of land degradation susceptibility analyses showed that 12.92% the area is very highly susceptible, 23.74% highly susceptible, 24.34% susceptible, 25.08% less susceptible and 13.92% very less susceptible to land degradation. The majority of the area falls on susceptible, highly susceptible and very highly susceptible to land degradation (61%). The resultant land degradation susceptibility map along with the Landuse/landcover can serve local planners and researchers as a primary source of information for NRM of the study area.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Landuse/Landcover, land degradation susceptibility model, Dynamics.
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Q Science > Q Science (General)
Q Science > QE Geology
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Selom Ghislain
Date Deposited: 25 May 2018 13:00
Last Modified: 25 May 2018 13:00
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/4118

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