article · Land
This study investigated land use and land cover changes (LULCC) in Ethiopia's biodiversity-rich Bale Mountain Eco-Region between 1985 and 2015. Using remote sensing, GIS, and demographic data, it aimed to identify which land cover types experienced the most significant gains or losses, determine the primary drivers of these changes, and estimate the amount of carbon stock removed due to deforestation. The research found substantial shifts, with forest areas decreasing significantly while farmland expanded considerably. The main causes were identified as the expansion of farmland and urban settlements. Over 24 million tons of aboveground carbon stock were lost from forest and shrubland. The findings suggest a need for policy-driven land allocation that integrates biodiversity and ecosystem values to prevent further unplanned expansion.
Understanding land use changes and their drivers in biodiversity hotspots like the Bale Mountain Eco-Region is crucial for sustainable development. These findings highlight the environmental impact of agricultural and urban expansion, particularly the significant loss of carbon stocks, which contributes to climate change. This research provides essential data for informed policy-making to protect valuable ecosystems.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway for commercialisation. It focuses on environmental assessment and policy recommendations for land management and conservation. The findings are primarily relevant for informing governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in land use planning, environmental protection, and sustainable development initiatives.
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Anthropogenic factors are responsible for major land use and land cover changes (LULCC). Bale Mountain Eco-Region in Ethiopia is a biodiversity-rich ecosystem where such LULCC have occurred. The specific objectives of this study were to: (i) determine which LULC types gained or lost most as a result of the observed LULCC; (ii) identify the major drivers of the LULCC/deforestation; and (iii) assess the approximate amount of carbon stock removed as a result of deforestation during the study period. Remote sensing and GIS were used to analyze LULCC. Landsat images acquired in 1985, 1995, 2005, and 2015 were used. Additionally, data from the Central Statistics Agency on cropland expansion, and human and livestock population growth were analyzed and correlations were made. The results showed that forest lost 123,751 ha while farmland gained 292,294 ha. Farmland and urban settlement expansion were found to be major drivers of LULCC. Aboveground carbon stock removed from forest and shrubland was more than 24 million tons. In the future, allocation of land to different uses must be based on appropriate land use policies. Integrating biodiversity and ecosystem values for each land cover as per the UN Sustainable Development Goal (UN-SDG) 15.9 may be one of the mechanisms to limit unplanned expansion or invasion of one sector at the expense of another.
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DOI: 10.3390/land5040041
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