Impact of Land Use/ Land Cover Changes on the Environment and Socio-Economy of the Smallholder Farming Community: The Case of Lude Hitosa District, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2022-12-20
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Understanding the process of land use/ land cover (LULC) change and its implications has paramount importance for the sustainable management of natural resources. This study assessed the trends of LULC change and its implications on the environment (land, forest, and water resources) and livelihoods of the people in the Lude Hitosa district, central-eastern parts of Ethiopia. Remote sensing data (Landsat imageries) and socio-economic surveys were used to unveil the LULC dynamics in the study area. A socio-economic data was obtained through a questionnaire survey, focus group discussions (FGDs), field observations, and key informant interviews (KIIs). As a source of Landsat imaginers, the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute (ESSGI) and online archives of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from 1984 to 2022 were used. The LULC change analysis was made using ArcMap 10.8, R studio Rstudio-02.2-4, quantum GIS (Q GIS), and Microsoft office software. The socioeconomic data collected through a questionnaire survey were analyzed using SPSS (v. 20). The LULC change analysis revealed significant changes in the LULC change between 1984 and 2022. Forest cover, grassland, and shrub decreased by 12.77%, 22.23%, and 1.78%, respectively. Crop/agricultural land, settlement, and bare land had increased by 21.86%, 10.18%, and 4.75%, respectively. LULC change has significantly impacted land, forest, and water resources, thereby affecting people's livelihoods. The communities face severe food insecurity, scarcity of land, shortage of animal feed, reduction of water sources, etc. Therefore, appropriate measures that ensure the wise use of natural resources and efficient land utilization are critical.
Description
Keywords
Land use/Land cover change, trends, impacts, GIS, Remote sensing