Spatio-temporal dynamics and drivers of land use land cover change in Farta district South Gonder, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

       This study aims to investigate the trend of LULCC and driving forces over the last 30 years (1989 to 2019) in Farta District, Ethiopia. The study revealed that the extent of forest, shrubland, water body, and settlement increased by 5508.09ha, 3375.9ha, 770.58ha, and 666.81ha respectively. However, grassland and agricultural land decreased by 5228.55ha and 5148.63ha respectively. Expansion of settlement, eucalyptus plantation, and agriculture are the major identified proximate drivers for LULC change, while population growth and technological factors are the major underlying factors for LULC changes in the study area.

KEYWORDS:

• Drivers
• Land use/Land cover changes
• rate
• trend
• farta district

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to MRV capacity building Project Office and Ethiopian Environment and forest research institute (EEFRI) for the financial support and for all the logistics. The authors sincerely thank for the Farta district administration office for their assistance to succeed this study and granting us the permission to carry out this study in the area.

Author contributions

Conceptualization M. B. Formal analysis, Y.A; Methodology Design, both Y.A and M.B M.; Software, both Y.A and M.B M; Writing-original draft, both Y.A and M.B M.; Writing-review & editing, both Y.A and M.B M

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yeshifana Alemneh

Yeshifana Alemneh is an assistant researcher II in Ethiopian forest development, plantation and agroforestry research division Bahirdar center. She hold a Bachelor of Science in General Forestry and MSc in Forest resource assessment and monitoring from Hawassa University, Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Ethiopia. Her research interest is mainly focuses on Spatio-temporal dynamics and drivers of Land use land cover change.

Mikias Biazen Molla

Mikias Biazen Molla (Ph.D) is an assistant Professor in the Department of Geographic Information Science, Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources (WGCF-NR), Hawassa University-Ethiopia. He has got a BSc Degree in Natural Resource Management at Jimma University and a Master’s degree in Geo-Information (GIS & RS) from Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. He has also got his Ph.D. degree in Environmental Informatics from University of Ibadan, Nigeria and has over 15 years’ experience in research, teaching, and mentorship in WGCF-NR. His area of professional expertise primarily includes Geographic Information Science and Spatial Analytical Methods, Remote Sensing data processing and analysis, environmental studies, urban green infrastructure and urban landscape development and management. He has over 20 scientific publications in reputable journals.