Impact of landscapes Dynamics and Intensity on Ecological Land in Major Ethiopia Cities

Abstract

Background: Understanding the dependence of ecological land to dynamics of human-nature-coupled landscape is crucial for urban ecosystem resilience. The aim of present study is, explored and compared the spaciotemporal responses of ecological land to urban landscape dynamics in Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa, Adama and Hawassa cities for the last three decades (1990–2020). Three sets of Landsat satellite images from 1990 to 2020 and four urban land indexes were used to produce landscape maps and geospatial data analysis. Result: The result analysis showed the substantial expansion in built up ecosystem which was manifested at the cost of ecological land. The built-up ecosystem totaled 17,491.2ha in 1990, which augmented to 42,298ha (141.8%) in 2020 with an average annual growth rate of 33.73%. A total of 40.97% of the prolonged built-up area was obtained from urban agricultural land alone. Moreover, urban sprawl is likely to continue, which will be outweighed by the loss of open space ecosystem. Besides, land use intensity (LUI) of each city in the years 1990 - 2020 were Addis Ababa (3.31), Hawassa (4.82), Adama (5.04), and Bahir Dar (3.56). Moreover, Integrated land use dynamics degree (ILUDD) was for Addis Ababa (1.7%), Bahir Dar (4.17%), Adama (2.25%) and Hawassa (4.83%). This confirmed that the spatial distribution LUI was significant consistency with ILUDD in all cities. Conclusions: LUI dynamics pattern was followed “urban ecological land to multi-complex human-dominance ecosystem, with a significant influence on urban greenery and ecosystem services provides. Thus, in all cities, the implementation of effective ecological land management and urban planning policies are required for ensure economic development and ecosystem resilience.