Land Use and Land Cover Changes and Their Effects on the Landscape of Abaya-Chamo Basin, Southern Ethiopia

摘要: This study uses a combination of remote sensing data, field interviews and observations, landscape indices to examine the dynamics land use cover (LULC), identify their driving forces, analyze effects on Abaya-Chamo Basin (ACB) between 1985, 1995, 2010. The results reveal that ACB has changed considerably during past 25 years 1985 main changes observed imply rapid reduction in shrubland (28.82%) natural grassland (33.13%), an increase arable (59.15%). basin become more fragmented formed less connected patches 2010 compared 1985. Rapid population growth, internal migration, policy shifts, regime change were identified as key forces LULC ACB. related trend increasing fragmentation increased soil erosion, volume surface runoff, sediment transport and, consequently, affected levels water quality lakes found rift floor. Furthermore, destruction led decline wild plants animals previously prominent basin. Therefore, protective measures take into consideration economic, social, ecological are urgently needed save aquatic terrestrial ecosystems from further damage.