Analysis of land use/land cover change in Adei watershed, Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Land use/land cover changes (LULCC) at Adei watershed (Ethiopia) over a period of 23 years (1986-2009) has been analysed from LANDSAT imagery and ancillary data. The patterns (magnitude and direction) of LULCC were quantified and the final land use/land cover maps were produced after a supervised classification with appropriate post-processing. Image analysis results revealed that the study area has undergone substantial LULCC, primarily a shift from natural cover into managed agro-systems, which is apparently attributed to the increasing both human and livestock pressure. Over the 23 years, the aerial coverage of forest and grass lands declined by 8.5% and 4.3%, respectively. On the other hand, agricultural and shrub lands expanded by 9.1% and 3.7%, respectively. This shows that most of the previously covered by forest and grass lands are mostly shifted to the rapidly expanding farm land use classes. The findings of this study suggested that the rate of LULCC over the study period, particularly deforestation due to the expansion of farmland need to be given due attention to maintain the stability and sustainability of the ecosystem.