Integrated assessment of the environmental impact of an IDP camp in Sudan based on very high resolution multi-temporal satellite imagery

摘要: Abstract Population displacement due to armed conflicts, regional crises, or natural disasters often leads large-scale settlements that impact the local environment. The specific dynamics of such semi-permanent settlements, comprising both structural changes (to extent camp, and population density), their wider impacts on surroundings, require adaptive monitoring capacities. In areas where livelihoods food security are highly dependent resources, environmental deterioration can result in violent conflicts over access to, control of, scarce renewed migration population. Remote sensing, particular very high spatial resolution satellite imagery, help determine actual dynamics, together with surrounding areas. an ex-post assessment using three time slices (2002, 2004, 2008) we assessed changing conditions resulting implications for human ecosystem integrity vicinity a large internally displaced persons (IDP) camp northern Darfur, Sudan. We used Weighted Natural Resource Depletion index integrates selected land use/land cover target classes relative importance and/or by incorporating weightings assigned experts each these classes. results showed dramatic increase camp's between June 2002 May 2008 (from approximately 1200 about 50,000 inhabitants) areal (a growth ~ 436%) was accompanied noticeable decrease area covered single shrubs small trees (~ − 68%), patches − 34%), grassland − 3%). Moreover, marked expansion small-scale farming observed, especially into fertile wadi soils. Almost 45% all grid cells (60 m × 60 m) had experienced at least some degree depletion resources (i.e. woody vegetation, grassland, etc.) 2008. Major observed north-eastern eastern parts particular, while minor occurred almost study area.