Forest Cover Change, Key Drivers and Community Perception in Wujig Mahgo Waren Forest of Northern Ethiopia
This study assessed forest cover change from 1985 to 2016, analyzed community perception on forest cover change and its drivers, and suggested possible solutions in northern Ethiopia. Landsat images of 1985, 2000 and 2016, household interviews and focus group discussions were used. While dense fores...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-03-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/7/1/32 |
| _version_ | 1817968890890682368 |
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| author | Negasi Solomon Hadgu Hishe Ted Annang Opoku Pabi Isaac K Asante Emiru Birhane |
| author_facet | Negasi Solomon Hadgu Hishe Ted Annang Opoku Pabi Isaac K Asante Emiru Birhane |
| author_sort | Negasi Solomon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study assessed forest cover change from 1985 to 2016, analyzed community perception on forest cover change and its drivers, and suggested possible solutions in northern Ethiopia. Landsat images of 1985, 2000 and 2016, household interviews and focus group discussions were used. While dense forests and open forests increased by 8.2% and 32.3% respectively between 1985 and 2000, they decreased by 10.4% and 9.8% respectively from 2000 to 2016. Grasslands and cultivated land decreased in the first period by 37.3% and 5.5% but increased in the second period by 89.5% and 28.5% respectively. Fuel wood collection, cultivated land expansion, population growth; free grazing, logging for income generation and drought were the major drivers of the change reported by local communities. Soil erosion, reduction in honey bee production, flooding and drought were the most perceived impacts of the changes. Most of the farmers have a holistic understanding of forest cover change. Strengthening of forest protection, improving soil and water conservation, enrichment planting, awareness creation, payment for ecosystem services and zero grazing campaigns were mentioned as possible solutions to the current state of deforestation. In addition, concerted efforts of conservation will ensure that the forests’ ecosystems contribute to increased ecosystem services. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T20:14:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-94e16b9f8b1a4a24a9a8fda7b4b3e212 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T20:14:31Z |
| publishDate | 2018-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj.art-94e16b9f8b1a4a24a9a8fda7b4b3e2122022-12-22T02:31:45ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2018-03-01713210.3390/land7010032land7010032Forest Cover Change, Key Drivers and Community Perception in Wujig Mahgo Waren Forest of Northern EthiopiaNegasi Solomon0Hadgu Hishe1Ted Annang2Opoku Pabi3Isaac K Asante4Emiru Birhane5Department of Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection, Mekelle University, P.O. Box 231, 7000 Mekelle, EthiopiaDepartment of Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection, Mekelle University, P.O. Box 231, 7000 Mekelle, EthiopiaInstitute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 571, 00233 Accra, GhanaInstitute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 571, 00233 Accra, GhanaDepartment of Botany, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 571, 00233 Accra, GhanaDepartment of Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection, Mekelle University, P.O. Box 231, 7000 Mekelle, EthiopiaThis study assessed forest cover change from 1985 to 2016, analyzed community perception on forest cover change and its drivers, and suggested possible solutions in northern Ethiopia. Landsat images of 1985, 2000 and 2016, household interviews and focus group discussions were used. While dense forests and open forests increased by 8.2% and 32.3% respectively between 1985 and 2000, they decreased by 10.4% and 9.8% respectively from 2000 to 2016. Grasslands and cultivated land decreased in the first period by 37.3% and 5.5% but increased in the second period by 89.5% and 28.5% respectively. Fuel wood collection, cultivated land expansion, population growth; free grazing, logging for income generation and drought were the major drivers of the change reported by local communities. Soil erosion, reduction in honey bee production, flooding and drought were the most perceived impacts of the changes. Most of the farmers have a holistic understanding of forest cover change. Strengthening of forest protection, improving soil and water conservation, enrichment planting, awareness creation, payment for ecosystem services and zero grazing campaigns were mentioned as possible solutions to the current state of deforestation. In addition, concerted efforts of conservation will ensure that the forests’ ecosystems contribute to increased ecosystem services.http://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/7/1/32forest cover changeperceptionremote sensingdriversEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Negasi Solomon Hadgu Hishe Ted Annang Opoku Pabi Isaac K Asante Emiru Birhane Forest Cover Change, Key Drivers and Community Perception in Wujig Mahgo Waren Forest of Northern Ethiopia Land forest cover change perception remote sensing drivers Ethiopia |
| title | Forest Cover Change, Key Drivers and Community Perception in Wujig Mahgo Waren Forest of Northern Ethiopia |
| title_full | Forest Cover Change, Key Drivers and Community Perception in Wujig Mahgo Waren Forest of Northern Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Forest Cover Change, Key Drivers and Community Perception in Wujig Mahgo Waren Forest of Northern Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Forest Cover Change, Key Drivers and Community Perception in Wujig Mahgo Waren Forest of Northern Ethiopia |
| title_short | Forest Cover Change, Key Drivers and Community Perception in Wujig Mahgo Waren Forest of Northern Ethiopia |
| title_sort | forest cover change key drivers and community perception in wujig mahgo waren forest of northern ethiopia |
| topic | forest cover change perception remote sensing drivers Ethiopia |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/7/1/32 |
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