Wetland Use/Cover Changes and Local Perceptions in Uganda

摘要: With increasing population, coupled with land shortage and weather variations, wetlands in Uganda have continued to face degradation due mainly conversion for agricultural, industrial settlement purposes. The objective of this study was determine the spatial temporal wetland use/cover changes local perceptions attributed these changes. utilized three sets ortho-rectified cloud free Landsat TM/ETM+/MSS images (30 m) 1986, 2000 2011. classification procedures were carried out using an Integrated Land Water Information System (ILWIS) software version 3.7. A system developed by National Biomass Study, 2003 adopted describe types. classified validated a ground truthing exercise Global Positioning (GPS) improve on accuracy. Key informant interviews focus group discussions conducted communities adjacent each ten Ugandan agro-ecological zones underlying drivers changes, while household generated information Significant observed between 1986 Major factors responsible subsistence farming intensification growing paddy rice Kyoga plains, influx migrants who accessed daily (livestock grazing) South western farmlands proximity urban centres Lake Victoria Crescent. In all sampled zones, increased crop changing opportunities created existent large markets crops. Majority (60%) people perceived their undergone high within last 10 years, declined quantity quality vegetation, soil fertility water levels. There noticeable variation across highest proportion perceiving being plains (76%), followed crescent (63%) South-western (41%). Locally threats from that accounted 33% frequency mentioned threats, collection resources (30%), prolonged floods droughts (12%). This confirms importance economic new market outlets migration its various forms as key use change, especially at timescales couple decades.