Browsing by Author "Lemma, Eyassu"

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    Remote sensing and GIS based Wildlife corridor suitability for Nile Lechwe Species in Gambela National Park, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa Universty, 2012-06) Lemma, Eyassu; Suryabhagavan, K.V. (PhD)
    Gambella National Park is known for its wealth of wetlands and associated wildlife species like Nile Lechwe And Kobs which are currently in International Union for conservation of Nature Red List: Endangered in 2008. The aim of this research is to assess the suitability of wildlife corridors in Gambela National park for utilization and conservation of Nile Lechwe species With the help of remote sensing softwares and geospatial tools, so as for conservation and utility purposes, It was considered land use, wetlands and settlements proximity, slope and soil factors as principal elements for Nile Lechwe wildlife corridor suitability analysis. Different weights heave been given to these factors based on the responses of focus group discussions and key informant interviews regarding the relative influences of each of these factors on wildlife habitat of the area. The weights were calculated using pair-wise comparison method. Then weighted factors maps were integrated using weighted overlay analysis to run the wildlife corridor suitability model. Finally wildlife corridor map for Nile Lechwe was produced. The result of the land suitability analysis of wildlife corridors for selected species showed five classes of suitability ; From the total land of the study area 201.63 km2 (42.92%) was Highly suitable, 188 km2 (40.01%) Moderately suitable, 32.52 km2 (6.92%) marginally suitable, 28.47 km2 (6.06%) not suitable and 19.21km2 (4.09%) was permanently unsuitable area to be a Wildlife corridor for Nile Lechwe species. Building this information into conservation plans and management for Gambella area protected areas will help to address for conservation and management Nile Lechwe wildlife’s and its habitat landscapes. Key words: Wildlife Corridor, Nile Lechwe, Suitability Analysis, GIS and Remote Sensing, Conservation, Gambella National Park.