International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 02 | Feb 2024
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Agroforestry and Sustainable Land Management in Aleta Wondo, Southern Ethiopia: A Remote Sensing Approach Adamu Assefa a Gedion Tsegay a Hu Xialin a* a UNEP-TONGJI Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD), College of Environmental Science and
Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China ------------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract
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Environmental sustainability relies on a comprehensive analysis that integrates both land use and cover changes with locally adopted indigenous knowledge of land management practices. The study reveals a noteworthy increase in traditional agroforestry land, expanding spanning three decades (1993-2023). Utilizing Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images from 1993 and spot images from 2023, processed via ERDS IMAGINE V9.3, our investigation provides insights into the evolving regional landscape. The study reveals significant changes: Traditional agroforestry land increased from 10,808 to 18,145 hectares (46.28% to 77.71% of total land), indicating a notable shift in agricultural practices. In contrast, cropland decreased from 9,845 to 4,244 hectares (42.16% to 18.18% of the total area), signaling a substantial move away from traditional crop planting to agroforestry. Settlement areas grew by 106 hectares due to rapid population growth, while shrub and bare lands notably declined. These changes highlight a transition in land management practices towards agroforestry. Implications include positive impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and soil health with agroforestry expansion. The reduction in cropland suggests a shift to more sustainable and diversified agricultural practices, potentially enhancing resilience to environmental changes. Settlement area growth underscores the need for sustainable urban planning to address increasing land demands, while the decline in shrub and bare lands raises concerns about habitat loss and potential impacts on local wild life.
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Keywords: Land Use Change, Traditional agroforestry Practices, Satellite Imagery Analysis, Indigenous Knowledge, Environmental Sustainability
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Article Highlights
Land use/land cover change is significantly modified over the past three decades in the study area. Geospatial technology is a key tool for Land use/land cover change analysis. Agroforestry cover has substantially increased due to farmers' indigenous land management in the study area.
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1 Introduction
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Land use and land cover change (LU/LCC) analysis stands as a critical global concern, its impact resonating across generations by profoundly influencing both natural ecosystems and human societies (Chughtai, Abbasi et al. 2021, Nziguheba, Adewopo et al. 2021, Feng, Wang et al. 2023). This analytical framework serves as a fundamental indicator of environmental shifts, exerting significant effects on vital ecosystem processes, biological cycles, and overall biodiversity (Chang, Hou et al. 2018).
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The dynamics of LU/LCC, largely instigated by human activities, have brought about substantial alterations in regional and local landscapes. These changes are primarily driven by the rapid growth and expansion of urbanization, burgeoning populations, technological advancements, and the persistent challenge of land scarcity(Geist, McConnell et al. 2006). The resulting transformations carry profound implications, influencing hydrological cycles, microclimates, groundwater resources, the gradual process of land degradation, and the methodologies employed in land management practices (Lambin and Geist 2003).
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In the sub-Saharan African region, characterized by rapid population growth coupled with extensive natural resource exploitation, LU/LCC is notably affecting forest cover due to the expanding footprint of cultivable lands (Bassett and Zuéli
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