Burka, Ashenafi (2008) Land Use / Land Cover Dynamics in Prosopis juliflora Invaded Area of Metehara and the Surrounding Districts Using Remote Sensing & GIS Techniques. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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Abstract
Land use and land cover changes are derived by natural process and anthropogenic interference in ecosystem. Appropriate management of natural resources requires quick and up-to-date information for effective decision making. The aim of this study is to generate such kind of information using RS and GIS technology to support the land use planning and strategy formulation of the newly emerging problem of the study area. The present study has been attempted to identify and quantify the main land use and land cover change that occurred for the last three decades. Besides, in this study assessment of the spatial distribution of Prosospis juliflora tree species using geostatistical analysis has been conducted. Three satellite imageries of Landsat MSS 1973, Landsat TM 1986 and ASTER 2002 were utilized for detection of Land use/land cover change. Prior to change detection analysis, land use/land cover map of 1973, 1986 and 2002 was generated. Eight land use/land cover classes have been identified from the three independent image classification processes. Subsequently, post classification change detection method was applied to quantify the land use/land cover change and to provide information about the source and destination of the change. The change detection analysis revealed the existence of significant land use/land cover change in the study area. The findings of change detection analysis indicates the continuous spatial increment of cultivated land, bare land and water body (Lake Beseka) at the expense of grass land and open shrub land. The rate of expansion of Lake Beseka and cultivation land was 109.9 ha and 63.8 ha per year from 1973 to 2002, respectively. On the other hand, the rate of decrease in spatial extent of open shrub land and grass land was 182.4 ha and 38.5 ha per year from 1973 to 2002, respectively. Using geostatitical analysis it has been possible to map the current invasion of the nuisance plant P.juliflora overcoming the problem of getting high spatial and spectral resolution satellite image. From the geostatistical analysis, the highest and the lowest density of the species has been observed at the southern and north western part of the study area, respectively. In addition, there has been a trend in decrease of P.juliflora density from south to north western and north eastern part of the study area. The infestation of P.juliflora has been observed in areas of relatively better moisture and lower altitude of the study area. Furthermore, socio-economic survey was conducted to assess the social and environmental impact of P.juliflora and the results of the survey disclosed that 91% of the respondent said that the species has a negative impact on other plants. In addition, 76% of the respondent from high infestation area and 90% from medium infestation area believed that P.juliflora has been threatening the livestock production by encroaching the grazing land. In general, significant land use/land cover change in the form of conversion and modification has been occurred in Metehara and its surrounding area. The outcome of land use/land cover change, geostatistical and socio-economic survey analysis can serve local and regional planners as a primary source of information for better management of natural resources in the study area.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | RS & GIS, LULC Change, Conversion and Modification, Geostatistics, Invasion, Prosopis juliflora. |
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) Q Science > QE Geology S Agriculture > SD Forestry |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Selom Ghislain |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Aug 2018 12:25 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Aug 2018 12:25 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/4882 |
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