Mapping Vegetation Types and Land Use Dynamics in Kanyabaha Wetland from 1990 to 2021
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Date
2024-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Journal of Global Ecology and Environment
Abstract
Wetlands are crucial ecosystems providing essential ecological services, yet they face increasing
threats from human activities. This study focuses on Kanyabaha Wetland in Uganda, examining its
vegetation dynamics over three decades (1990-2021) using Landsat satellite imagery. The research
characterizes land use and cover types including papyrus, grasslands, farmlands, tree plantations,
built-up areas, and woodlands. Remote sensing data was processed and classified using ArcMap
software, validated through field verification, resulting in high overall accuracy (>75%) across all
study years. The images were analyzed using a hybrid of unsupervised (ISO data) and supervised
(Maximum Likelihood) classification techniques. Findings reveal significant shifts in vegetation
cover, with papyrus dominating initially but declining over time due to expansion in farmlands and
settlements. Grasslands also decreased, while areas under farming and built-up structures expanded. Transition matrices illustrate these changes, highlighting stable and shifting landscape dynamics. Statistical analyses indicate a decrease in papyrus cover from 51.5% in 1990 to 39.1% in
2021, while farmland and built-up areas increased from 3.0% to 31.6% and 3.2% to 5.1%,
respectively. This study highlights the vulnerability of Kanyabaha Wetland to anthropogenic
impacts, necessitating targeted conservation strategies to sustain its ecological integrity amid
ongoing land use changes
Description
Research Article
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Citation
Walakira, P., Gichuki, C., Muriuki, J., Kasoma, P. M. B., & Ndunda, E. (2024). Mapping vegetation types and land use dynamics in Kanyabaha Wetland from 1990 to 2021. Journal of Global Ecology and Environment, 20(3), 13–27.