Land-use/cover change analysis using Remote Sensing techniques in the landscape of Majang Zone of Gambella Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Recently, forest land grant for investment which is often misquoted as bare land is posing a challenge to biodiversity conservation efforts in the Majang Zone of Gambella Region, Ethiopia. On the other hand, Majang zone has always been known for dense forest cover and rich biodiversity; but recently threatened due to plantation investment. In order to tackle such prevailing problems, timely information about past and existing land-use/cover scenarios is needed. This study therefore aim to drive reliable information about land-use/cover trends for the last 30 years using Remote Sensing techniques. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) for year 1987 and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) for year 2016 were used for image classification. By applying all the approaches and algorithms recommended for image classification, six major land-use/cover classes were identified. The landscape ever covered with dense forest was dramatically updated to new land-use/cover. The 1987 land-use/cover map put forest as the major land cover accounted for 86.73%. However, findings from recent satellite image uncovered new land-use/cover class-plantation accounted for16.16 % that comes out of almost none existent land use pattern in 1987. The result also showed that agricultural land and settlement expanded at alarming rate (3.4 and 0.13 hectare) per year respectively but, the forest cover is the most altered part decreasing by 0.32 hectare per year. Thus, it is important to take urgent action against further conversion of forest to other land cover class, which might have negative impacts in advance on the remaining natural forest.

Reported driving factors of land-use/cover changes and its mounting consequences in Ethiopia: A Review

“…Thus, this study was built from systematic meta-analysis based on wide range of reviewed studies including different perspectives, approaches and provides a common national framework for taking corrective measures with the aim to end the management challenges. Valid and timely information on landuse/cover change and its associated driving factors is indispensable strategies for national or regional based conservation strategies (Mathewos and Bewuketu, 2018;Teshome, et al, 2019;Temesgen et al, 2017). It is therefore important to bridge established knowledge with designed policy for better environmental management.…”

“…Major underlying consequences due to land-use/cover change in Gambella, Benishangul and most parts of Southwestern Ethiopia were loss of biodiversity and ecosystem service degradation (Figure 1), deterioration of wetlands, creation of new landscape, rainfall variability, reduction in stream flow, increase frequent extreme in weather, conflicts of interest, soil lose and decline in soil fertility (Henok et al, 2016;Mathewos and Bewuketu, 2018;Getachew et al, 2014) Amahara, North eastern parts of Benishangul, and South western parts of Tigray having similar agro-climate, landscape and livelihood of the communities experienced common problems. Hence, according to the evidence from different journal, the impacts dominantly seen were soil and land degradations, prevalence of drought, rainfall variability, decrease in wetland, increase in runoff resulting in soil and land degradation and sedimentations (Woldeamlak, 2002;Eleni et al, 2013;Woldeamlak and Solomon , 2013;Miheretu and Yimer, 2017;Negasi et al, 2018;Tesfa et al, 2018;Jacob et al 2015;Mesfin et al, 2016;Menberu, 2014, Kassahun andYitbarek, 2018).…”

Ecotourism Potentials of the Majang Forest Biosphere Reserve. Gambella, South West Ethiopia

“…The study was conducted from September, 2017-June, 2018 in Majang zone of Gambella People's National Regional State.Majang zone, with capital town Meti, located over 600 km away from Addis Ababa, Capital city of Ethiopia (Wondachew, M. and Muchie, N., 2017). In terms of relative location, it is bordered with Sheka and Bench Maji zones of Southern Nation Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS) in its Southeastern part, Ilubabor zone of Oromiya regional state in its Northern and Anyuaa zone of Gambella in its Western part (Mathewos, M., 2017). In terms of absolute location the Zone is located in 7°4'2.41''N -7°46'47.79'' N latitude and 34°36'30.54''E-35°38'48.00''E longitude (Lema, et al, 2017).…”

Opportunities to Enhance Tourism Industry Development: Gambella People’s National Regional State, South West Ethiopia

“…The region encompasses three zones; namely Anywaa Zone, Nuer Zone and Majang zone; and comprises 12 woredas, Itang special woreda, and Gambella town administration. The Anywaa zone: consists of Gog, Abobo, Jor, Abol, and Dimma woredas; Nuer zone consists of Jikaw, Makuey, Lare, Wanthowa and Akobo woredas and Majang zone consists of Godere and Mengeshi Woredas [15,16].…”