Assessing Land Use / Land Cover Changes Using GIS and Remotely Sensed Techniques (RST): A Case Study of the Etoa Clay Quarry Yaounde, Cameroon

Abstract

This study highlights the use of Remote Sensing to detect environmental changes obtained on Land Use / land Cover Changes in the Etoa clay quarry, neighboring the town of Yaounde (Cameroon) during a period of 26 years . Remotely sensed data in the form of Landsat image and pattern classification were used to create maps. For accuracy Google Earth was used as a reference to yield data. The post classification change detection method was used to value the land cover change with the clay quarry. Land use of the urban growth was estimated by time series analysis of satellite Landsat images. Spectral indices calculated from the images were used to evaluate change in buildup area, vegetation and hydrology. Results show that vegetation, covers 200 hectares of land, build up area 240 hectares and hydrology 185 hectares. The change analysis between 1989-2015 showed a decreasing trend in vegetation from 69% to 32% (a decrease in 37% vegetation cover), hydrology from 14% to 30% (thus a 16% increase in water bodies) and build up area from 17% to 38% (a 21% increase). The excavation of clay materials increases every year leaving behind many dangerous clay pits filled with water which calls for concern.

Impacts of quarrying activities on the environment and livelihood of people in Border II sub‐location, Nyando sub‐county, Kisumu County, Kenya

“…Similar to the findings of Waweru et al (2018), on quarrying activities in Ndarugu Kiambu Kenya, who identified that most quarries in the area are left without rehabilitation, quarry rehabilitation depends on the agreement between the landowner and quarry operators and the reha-bilitation process is perceived to be expensive and time-consuming (Waweru et al, 2018). (Duna et al, 2021;Endalew et al, 2019). Similarly, Waweru et al (2018), identified that mining activities are coupled with human settlement increase since it opens up interior areas as well as creates employment and business opportunities that attract people (Waweru et al, 2018).…”

“…Indeed, this was a clear indication of the habitat alteration and biodiversity loss in the area. The establishment of quarry sites transforms the original land use and land cover of an area to quarry land, leading to land use and land cover change (Duna et al., 2021). Generally, unsustainable LULC changes have an implication on biodiversity through habitat alteration and destruction.…”

“…(2019) and Duna et al. (2021), which found that quarrying activities change the original land use through the displacement of people or attraction of settlements as well as the conversion of bare lands and agricultural fields into mining areas (Duna et al., 2021; Endalew et al., 2019). Similarly, Waweru et al.…”

“…The establishment of quarrying sites changes the original land use to quarry land. Furthermore, the activities attract human settlements, through opening up the interior areas to become habitable, employment and business opportunities (Duna et al., 2021; Kamga et al., 2020).…”