This study proposes an approach for land degradation assessment for an abandoned coal mine by using geospatial information technologies. The land degradation assessment focuses on two major changes: topographical and Land Use and Land Cover (LULC). For this purpose, stereo aerial photos, Worldview-1, Landsat and ASTER images, Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) data, Global Positioning System (GPS) data, and ancillary maps were used for abandoned Ovacik surface coal mine. Volume of excavations and fillings, drainage network deviations, and slope instabilities were the investigated topographical disturbances by comparison of the Digital Elevation Models (DEM) for pre- and post-mining stages. Using aerial photos and Worldview-1 satellite image, LULC maps were prepared based on the same time period. Then areal extent and spatial pattern of the LULC change was calculated and mapped by post classification comparison method. The results of land degradation assessment show that there was a significant topographical disturbance and LULC change in the research area. Particularly, three dump areas with a total volume of 2,334,878 m3 were identified by DEM subtraction. It was found that stream network around the primary dump site shifted towards south with a maximum displacement of 60m. Slope analysis reveals that slopes higher that 60 degrees were mainly observed in excavation area with 81 percent. LULC change study showed that the forest area decreased an amount of 106,485 m2 from 1951 to 2008. However / by means of the forestation efforts in dump sites, an amount of 106,012 m2 forest land was recovered.

Land degradation is a national concern that needs to be redressed and prevented by the government and its agencies as it has a significant impact on agricultural productivity and food security. The National Department of Agriculture is in the process of reforming the sustainable resource use policy to deal with the causes of land degradation and to promote the sustainable use of natural resources, particularly in poverty stricken areas. Prior to 1994, this policy was only applied in areas where commercial agriculture was practised. The researcher has explored the struggles encountered during the implementation of the sustainable resource use policy through a case study approach within the Enkumane region of KwaZulu-Natal. The research followed a cross-sectional approach drawing from methods such as typology techniques, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, which were employed at various stages in the policy process, from the levels of policy-makers to the intended beneficiaries. A literature review emphasized the importance of applying integrated and participatory approaches in implementing a public policy. The results highlighted significant differences of opinion concerning the implementation of the sustainable resource use policy within and between the different stages of the process from policy to implementation. This was partly attributed to the inadequacy in terms of clear roles, direction and guidelines, and also in terms of the institutionalisation of experience, knowledge and skills. It was recommended that a more co-ordinated and integrated effort is required to reform the policy. This calls for the establishment of mechanisms to ensure that people at all stages in the policy process are involved in a participatory manner, towards the continual improvement of the sustainable resource use policy. The significance of this study is twofold, firstly the financial burden of ineffective policies is unacceptable to our society. Secondly, the research has a potential to enhance the policy to implementation process, which may provide a platform for improving the sustainable resource use policy. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Land degradation in Lesotho is undermining the finite resource on which people depend for survival. Use of satellite imagery has been recommended for monitoring land degradation because remotely sensed data enable monitoring of large areas at more frequent intervals than intensive ground based research. Various techniques have been developed for land cover change detection. In the present study, vegetation changes were identified by image differencing, which involved finding the difference between the earlier date NDVI image and the later date image. NDVI images are among products that are generated from the NOAA AVHRR sensor to provide information about the quantity of biomass on the earth’s surface. The resulting NDVI change data showed land areas that had experienced vegetation loss, which were identified as potentially degraded. The change data were combined with other data sets to determine how potentially degraded areas were influenced by different environmental variables and population pressure. These data sets included land cover, ecological zones, elevation, soil and human and livestock populations. By integrating NDVI data with ancillary data, land degradation was attributed to both demographic pressure and biophysical factors. Widespread degradation was detected on the arable parts of the Lowlands where cultivation was intensive and human settlements were extensive. Signs of grassland depletion and forest decline were also evident and were attributed to population expansion, overgrazing and indiscriminate cutting of trees and shrubs for firewood. Extensive biomass decline was also associated more with soils in the lowlands derived from sedimentary rocks than soils of basalt origin that occur mostly in the highlands. Significant degradation was evident on gentle slopes where land uses such as cultivation and expansion of settlements were identified as the main causes of the degradation. There was evidence of greater vegetation depletion on north and east-facing slopes than on other slopes. The depletion was attributed to the fragility of ecosystems resulting from intense solar radiation. The study demonstrated that NOAA AVHRR NDVI images could be used effectively for detecting land cover changes in Lesotho. However, future research could focus on obtaining and using high resolution data for detailed analysis of factors driving land degradation.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:53:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1634734 bytes, checksum: 7a31119122839c76a0f050eb29cf0a67 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The discussion around the need for soil conservation does not usually part of the daily concerns of the people, and this can lead to continued growth of environmental problems related to land degradation. These problems may be associated with lack the majority of the population has the features, functions and importance of soil. You need to develop actions that lead people to understand the soil as part of the environment and raise awareness about its importance. These actions can be initiated and undertaken in schools in order to awaken and promote awareness of students in relation to soil, because if topics are best worked out in the first years of basic education, it is possible to (re) build the values and attitudes that can help to mitigate land degradation. In most schools teachers use the Textbook as main and sometimes the only material support in the classroom and that makes him one of the determinants of educational quality. In this context it is necessary to investigate and verify the themes of soils in textbooks of basic education. The research aimed to examine the topic in textbooks soils offered by MEC through the National Textbook and adopted in public schools in Viçosa / MG, and verify that the content displayed in the books meets the guidelines proposed by the National Curriculum Parameters (PCN ). The choice of criteria for analysis of themes in the books soil had as reference the NCP, that link the content to be covered in each year of elementary school. After analyzing the NCP found that issues related to soils are discussed with emphasis in the discipline of science. The analysis showed that there Textbooks omission of content in some works. The quantitative evaluation showed that the space devoted to soils in textbooks is greatly reduced. The textbook should not be the only material to be used by teachers, this points to the need for development of educational materials and activities with concepts and updated consistent with the day-to-day lives of students. As well as supporting materials for teachers who do not always have an initial training or continuing around the themes of soils. / A discussão em torno da necessidade da conservação do solo não faz, geralmente, parte das preocupações diárias das pessoas, e isso pode levar a um crescimento contínuo dos problemas ambientais ligados à degradação dos solos. Estes problemas podem ser associados ao desconhecimento que a maior parte da população tem das características, importância e funções dos solos. É preciso desenvolver ações que levem a população a compreender os solos como parte do ambiente e conscientizar sobre sua importância. Essas ações podem ser iniciadas e desenvolvidas nas escolas, de forma a despertar e promover a consciência dos estudantes em relação aos solos, pois se os temas forem melhor trabalhados já nos primeiros anos da educação básica, é possivel (re)construir valores e atitudes que possam contribuir para atenuar a degradação dos solos. Na maioria das escolas os professores utilizam o Livro Didático como principal e as vezes o único material de apoio em sala de aula e isso o torna um dos determinantes da qualidade do ensino. Nesse contexto é necessária a investigação e ver ificação dos temas de solos nos livros didáticos da educação básica. A pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar o tema solos nos livros didáticos oferecidos pelo MEC através do Programa Nacional do Livro Didático e adotados nas escolas públicas de Viçosa/MG, e verificar se o conteúdo exposto nos livros atende as orientações propostas pelos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais (PCN). A escolha dos cr itérios para análise dos temas de solos nos livros tiveram como referencial os PCN, que apontam os conteúdos que devem ser abordados em cada ano do ensino fundamental. Após a análise dos PCN constatou-se que os temas relacionados aos solos são abordados com maior ênfase pela disciplina de ciências. A análise dos Livros Didáticos demonstrou que há omissão de conteúdos em algumas obras. A avaliação quantitativa apontou que o espaço dedicado aos solos nos Livros Didáticos é bastante reduzido. O livro didático não deve ser o único material a ser utilizado pelos professores, isto aponta a necessidade de elaboração de materiais didáticos com conceitos e atividades atualizadas e condizentes com o dia-a-dia dos alunos. Assim como materiais de apoio aos professores que nem sempre tem uma formação inicial ou continuada a cerca dos temas de solos.

In this paper discourse analysis on the Ethiopian National Action Program (NAP) to combat desertification is made. The aim is to describe how the overall image/picture of desertification, its causes, and effects and of possible solutions are presented in the NAP. The result of this analysis shows that the main cause of desertification is human activities mainly due to the poorly developed socio-economic situation in the dryland areas. It is indicated that an excessive dependency of the rural population on the natural resources, particularly land, is the major cause of land degradation and this deterioration of land is said to have been caused by the rapid population growth, overgrazing, forest clearing as well as past government and institutional failures. In addition it is indicated that the effect of desertification usually involves ecological changes that sap land of its ability to sustain agriculture and human habitation, therefore the most serious threat to human welfare. Desertification diminishes the ability of affected countries to produce food and consequently entail the reduction of regional and global food- producing potential with impacts on world food reserves and food trade. The solution given to mitigate desertification in Ethiopia is that the present strategies are intended to combat desertification, through different action programmes such as improving knowledge on drought and desertification, basic infrastructure, institutional organisations and capacity, awareness and participation as well as empowerment of women. The analysis also shows that priority was given to socio-economical aspect of the country not directly to combat desertification. It is suggested that in order to mitigate the land degradation, promotion of alternative livelihood is necessarily and this is reported to be achieved through industrialisation, rural credit programmes, intensification and diversification of agriculture, building awareness and access to information, enhancement of institutional organisations, participatory natural resource management, encouraging the private sector in involvement in forest development etc. Finally the analysis identifies different discourses, such as the survivalism, anthropocentrism, ecological modernisation, administrative- rationalism, economic rationalism and democratic pragmatism. Likewise the conflict that prevails between the discourses is discussed.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:25:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Ricardo_ Decker_ Cruz.pdf: 12162112 bytes, checksum: 0975a21caf72286cb9cd4c037c2fb34e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-09-08 / The nowadays model of development has as a basic principle an economically based growth focused in the technological development, having the GIP as the main indicator of development of a nation. This model is known for promoting an accelerated degradation of the quality of the environment under pressure. The present work aims the identification; quantification and classification of the severely degraded land in the Capão do Leão municipality RS, Brazil, through the use of geotechnologies. In order to achieve that, the following base layers were used: roads, hydrography, river basins, numerical terrain model, vegetation, geology, soils, and degraded land. The degraded land areas were identified and delineated in Google Earth images and subsequently characterized in the field. Through the degraded land data collected a land degradation classification scheme was conceived based on the causing agent, degradation degree, the activity status of the degrading agent, and the possibility and type of reclamation needed. Crossing the land degradation database with the other base maps generated new maps and information. A number of 746 degraded areas were identified, varying in size, shape and degree, totaling 474,9ha of severely degraded land, mostly due to mine activities (361,4 ha or 76% of the total) - sand, granite and gravel. Other important type of degradation were those of borrow materials (61,8 ha 13% of the total). Soil units more affected were those of Entisols and Ultisols, due to granite and gravel mining, respectively, and of Spodosols, located in the São Gonçalo plain, due to sand mining. From the total degraded areas, 224,7ha in 69 occurrences are in an extremely degree of degradation under strong or very strong erosive activity, needing a restoration that includes a continuous intervention with reconditioning of the surroundings, that in some cases may need a change of use. / O modelo atual de desenvolvimento tem como princípio básico o crescimento acelerado centrado no desenvolvimento tecnológico, um modelo de base econômica, sendo o PIB o principal indicador de desenvolvimento de uma nação. Esse modelo comprovadamente promove uma acelerada degradação da qualidade ambiental dos meios pressionados. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo identificar, quantificar e classificar a degradação ambiental severa no município de Capão do Leão, através do uso de geotecnologias. Para tal, foram utilizados os seguintes planos básicos de informação: base cartográfica (malha viária), hidrografia, bacias hidrográficas, Modelo Numérico do Terreno (MNT), vegetação, geologia, solos e áreas degradadas. As áreas degradadas foram identificadas a partir de imagens disponíveis do Google Earth e caracterizadas em campanhas de campo. A partir dos planos básicos foram gerados outros planos de informação como o mapa de declividades, de altitude e os cruzamentos com as áreas degradadas. A partir da integração dos dados foi elaborada uma classificação para as áreas degradadas no município cujas diretrizes basearam-se no agente causal, grau de degradação, status da atividade causadora da degradação e possibilidade e tipo de recuperação. Foram identificadas 746 áreas degradadas, variáveis em tamanho, forma e intensidade. Em termos globais encontrou-se um total de 474,9ha de áreas severamente degradadas, destacando-se aquelas ligadas as minerações (361,4ha ou 76% do total), de areia, granito e saibro, além de áreas de empréstimo (61,8 ha 13% do total), principalmente para barragens e estradas. As unidades de solos mais afetadas foram as de Neossolos Litólicos e de Argissolos, nas terras altas, por mineração de granito e saibro, respectivamente, e de Espodossolos, na planície do São Gonçalo, por mineração de areia. Das 746 áreas identificadas, 69 (224,27ha ou 47%) encontram-se em grau de degradação extrema com atividade erosiva forte ou muito forte, necessitando de uma recuperação que envolva uma intervenção continuada com conformação de entorno, podendo haver necessidade de redirecionamento de uso.

A history of land degradation is reconstructed in a part of the dividing ridge between the Great Fish and Keiskamma rivers, in Peddie District, former Ciskei. The study entails a comparative investigation of the progressive changes in land use, vegetation and soil erosion in three tenure units, namely: former commercial farms, traditional and betterment villages. Analysis of the sequential aerial photography of the area for 1938,1954, 1965, 1975 and 1988 is employed. This is backed by groundtruthing exercises. Data thus obtained are quantified, and linkages between degradation, anthropogenic and physical factors are derived using PC ARC/INFO GIS. Differences in land tenure systems emerge as the main controlling factor to variations in land degradation. Confinement of vegetation diminution and erosion to traditional and betterment villages is observed at all dates. Scantily vegetated surfaces and riparian vegetation removal are a characteristic feature of both areas throughout the study period. 'Betterment,' introduced in the early 1960s to curb land degradation is, instead observed to exacerbate it, particularly soil erosion. Trends in land use change are characterised by the abandonment of cultivated land, which is noted to coincide with a sharp rise in population. Erosion intensification into severe forms particularly between 1965 and 1975, coincident with a period of extreme rainfall events, emerges as the most significant degradation trend. A close spatial correlation between abandoned cultivated land and intricate gullies is identified. So is the case between grazing land and severe sheet erosion. Within the grazing lands, an examination of erosion and categories of vegetated surfaces reveals that erosion occurs predominantly on the scanty vegetation category. Such erosion-vegetation interaction largely explains the non-recovery of the scanty vegetation category, even during periods of intense rainfall. Extensive channel degradation is evident along stream courses with scanty riparian vegetation. Physical factors are noted to have a significant bearing on erosion. The high prevalence of erosion on the Ecca group of rocks confirms its erosion-prone nature. Pockets of colluvium and alluvium accumulation in the steep bottomlands are identified as the sites of the most severe gully erosion. Field surveys at some of the sites indicate that a dolerite sill through the area forms a boundary of colluvium accumulation and the upslope limit to gully incision. That these sites are recognised as formerly cultivated land, portrays the interaction between physical and anthropogenic variables with regard to inducing degradation in the area.

Land use / land cover (LULC) change assessment is getting more consideration by global environmental change studies as land use change is exposing dryland environments for transitions and higher rates of resource depletion. The semiarid regions of northwestern Ethiopia are not different as land use transition is the major problem of the region. However, there is no satisfactory study to quantify the change process of the region up to now. Hence, spatiotemporal change analysis is vital for understanding and identification of major threats and solicit solutions for sustainable management of the ecosystem. LULC change studies focus on understanding the patterns, processes and dynamics of land use transitions and driving forces of change. The change processes in dryland ecosystems can be either seasonal, gradual or abrupt changes of random or systematic change processes that result in a pattern or permanent transition in land use. Identification of these processes of change and their type supports adoption of monitoring options and indicate possible measures to be taken to safeguard this dynamic ecosystem. This study examines the spatiotemporal patterns of LULC change, temporal trends in climate variables and the insights of the communities on change patterns of ecosystems. Landsat imagery, MODIS NDVI, CRU temperature, TAMSAT rainfall and socio-ecological field data were used in order to identify change processes. LULC transformation was monitored using support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. A cross-tabulation matrix assessment was implemented in order to assess the total change of land use categories based on net change and swap change. In addition, the pattern of change was identified based on expected gain and loss under a random process of gain and loss, respectively. Breaks For Additive Seasonal and Trend (BFAST) analysis was employed for determining the time, direction and magnitude of seasonal, abrupt and trend changes within the time series datasets. In addition, Man Kendall test statistic and Sen’s slope estimator were used for assessing long term trends on detrended time series data components. Distributed lag (DL) model was also adopted in order to determine the time lag response of vegetation to the current and past rainfall distribution. Over the study period of 1972- 2014, there is a significant change in LULC as evidenced by a significant increase in size of cropland of about 53% and a net loss of over 61% of woodland area. The period 2000-2014 has shown a sharp increase of cropland and a sharp decline of woodland areas. Proximate causes include agricultural expansion and excessive wood harvesting; and underlying causes of demographic factor, economic factors and policy contributed the most to an overuse of existing natural resources. In both the observed and expected proportion of random process of change and of systematic changes, woodland has shown the highest loss compared to other land use types. The observed transition and expected transition under random process of gain of woodland to cropland is 1.7%, implies that cropland systematically gains to replace woodland. The comparison of the difference between observed and expected loss under random process of loss also showed that when woodland loses cropland systematically replaces it. The assessment of magnitude and time of breakpoints on climate data and NDVI showed different results. Accordingly, NDVI analysis demonstrated the existence of breakpoints that are statistically significant on the seasonal and long term trends. There is a positive trend, but no breakpoints on the long term precipitation data during the study period. The maximum temperature also showed a positive trend with two breakpoints which are not statistically significant. On the other hand, there is no seasonal and trend breakpoints in minimum temperature, though there is an overall positive trend along the study period. The Man-Kendall test statistic for long term average Tmin and Tmax showed significant variation where as there is no significant trend within the long term rainfall distribution. The lag regression between NDVI and precipitation indicated a lag of up to forty days. This proves that the vegetation growth in this area is not primarily determined by the current precipitation rather with the previous forty days rainfall. The combined analysis showed declining vegetation productivity and a loss of vegetation cover that contributed for an easy movement of dust clouds during the dry period of the year. This affects the land condition of the region, resulting in long term degradation of the environment

This research was conducted in one of the districts in the Oromia region located in the Central Rift Valley to assess the problem of soil erosion and deforestation and to determine how these drivers of land degradation affect the livelihoods of farmers. The research was a case study undertaken in an identified micro-watershed making use of the questionnaire interview method. A household sample was obtained using a simple random sampling technique; Information interviews were conducted with community representatives, district level experts and development agents who worked in the community. The objective of the research was to assess the levels of soil erosion and deforestation and the impact on the livelihoods of the community. Research methods were questionnaire and direct observation. The results of the study indicated that the effects of soil erosion and deforestation on land productively, agriculture and livestock production at large, had a negative effect on livelihoods of the community members. Recommendations based on the research affirm the necessity to undertake large-scale natural resource management starting with community-based watershed management thereby reducing the impact of land degradation on livelihoods of farmers and ensuring food security and sustainable land management. / Agriculture, Animal Health & Human Ecology / M.A. (Human Ecology)

This research was conducted in one of the districts in the Oromia region located in the Central Rift Valley to assess the problem of soil erosion and deforestation and to determine how these drivers of land degradation affect the livelihoods of farmers. The research was a case study undertaken in an identified micro-watershed making use of the questionnaire interview method. A household sample was obtained using a simple random sampling technique; Information interviews were conducted with community representatives, district level experts and development agents who worked in the community. The objective of the research was to assess the levels of soil erosion and deforestation and the impact on the livelihoods of the community. Research methods were questionnaire and direct observation. The results of the study indicated that the effects of soil erosion and deforestation on land productively, agriculture and livestock production at large, had a negative effect on livelihoods of the community members. Recommendations based on the research affirm the necessity to undertake large-scale natural resource management starting with community-based watershed management thereby reducing the impact of land degradation on livelihoods of farmers and ensuring food security and sustainable land management. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M.A. (Human Ecology)