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How Can Drones Uncover Land Degradation Hotspots and Restoration Hopespots? An Integrated Approach in the Mount Elgon Region with Community Perceptions

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  • Hosea Opedes

    (Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
    Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P.O Box 7062, Uganda)

  • Shafiq Nedala

    (Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P.O Box 7062, Uganda)

  • Caspar A. Mücher

    (Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Jantiene E. M. Baartman

    (Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Frank Mugagga

    (Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P.O Box 7062, Uganda)

Abstract

Human-induced land degradation in biodiverse regions like Mount Elgon threatens vital ecosystems. This study employs drone mapping and community insights to assess land use changes, degradation, and restoration in Mount Elgon, Uganda. Drone monitoring (2020–2023) covered six sites, complemented by household surveys ( n = 499), Focus Group Discussions (FDGs), and interviews. Drone imagery shows agriculture and planted forest as dominant land use types, gradually replacing tropical high forest, bushland, and grassland. Drone image results showed that smallholder subsistence farming is leading to and enhancing degradation. Landslides and encroachment into the park were detected in three of the six sites. Trenches were the most adopted Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) measure. The trench adoption varied by location and crop type, creating restoration potential, notably in Elgon, Nabyoko, and Shiteka. Interviews and FGDs revealed adoption of trenches, grass strips, and afforestation as remedies to land degradation. Complex interactions exists among land use, degradation, and SWC measures in the upper Manafwa watershed, underscoring the urgency of addressing landslides and encroachment into the forest. Community-based initiatives are vital for hands-on SWC training, emphasizing long-term benefits. Collaboration among government, local communities, and NGOs is crucial to enforce conservation and restore Mt. Elgon National Park, while encouraging diversified income sources can reduce land dependency and mitigate degradation risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Hosea Opedes & Shafiq Nedala & Caspar A. Mücher & Jantiene E. M. Baartman & Frank Mugagga, 2023. "How Can Drones Uncover Land Degradation Hotspots and Restoration Hopespots? An Integrated Approach in the Mount Elgon Region with Community Perceptions," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-24, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2023:i:1:p:1-:d:1302829
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Petursson, Jon Geir & Vedeld, Paul & Sassen, Marieke, 2013. "An institutional analysis of deforestation processes in protected areas: The case of the transboundary Mt. Elgon, Uganda and Kenya," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 22-33.
    2. Nakakaawa, Charlotte & Moll, Ricarda & Vedeld, Paul & Sjaastad, Espen & Cavanagh, Joseph, 2015. "Collaborative resource management and rural livelihoods around protected areas: A case study of Mount Elgon National Park, Uganda," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 1-11.
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