Abstract

Assessment and Monitoring of Land Degradation and Natural Habitats, Uganda
Track: Conservation
Authors: Muyambi Fortunate

The objective was to assess and monitor Land Degradation and Natural Habitat in order to improve policy formulation and decision making in addressing food insecurity, poverty, and sustainable natural habitats conservation and in planning and implementing adequate mitigation measures in Uganda. Using GIS and remote sensing, a model was developed using vegetation cover type and condition, Rainfall erosivity, Soil erodibility, Topography (Slope and slope length) and Population density parameters to assess the Land Degradation and Land degradation Index Maps were produced indicating the risk of land degradation at low resolution and high resolution over selected areas ("hot spots). The model identifies extent and severity of land degradation at the national levels. Natural Habitats vulnerability was modelled by carrying out land cover change analysis for selected natural habitats using high resolution images. The vulnerability model was developed using the following parameters; Population pressure, Agricultural pressure and Accessibility to the Protected Areas.