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Transitions in Land Use Architecture under Multiple Human Driving Forces in a Semi-Arid Zone

Author

Listed:
  • Issa Ouedraogo

    (World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, PO Box 30677, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya)

  • Cheikh Mbow

    (World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, PO Box 30677, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya)

  • Michael Balinga

    (Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), 06 B.P. 9478, Ouagadougou 06, Burkina Faso)

  • Henry Neufeldt

    (World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, PO Box 30677, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya)

Abstract

The present study aimed to detect the main shifts in land-use architecture and assess the factors behind the changes in typical tropical semi-arid land in Burkina Faso. Three sets of time-series LANDSAT data over a 23-year period were used to detect land use changes and their underpinning drivers in multifunctional but vulnerable ecologies. Group discussions in selected villages were organized for mapping output interpretation and collection of essential drivers of change as perceived by local populations. Results revealed profound changes and transitions during the study period. During the last decade, shrub and wood savannahs exhibited high net changes (39% and −37% respectively) with a weak net positive change for cropland (only 2%,) while cropland and shrub savannah exhibited high swap (8% and 16%). This suggests that the area of cropland remained almost unchanged but was subject to relocation, wood savannah decreased drastically, and shrub savannah increased exponentially. Cropland exhibited a null net persistence while shrub and wood savannahs exhibited positive and negative net persistence (1.91 and −10.24), respectively, indicating that there is movement toward agricultural intensification and wood savannah tended to disappear to the benefit of shrub savannah. Local people are aware of the changes that have occurred and support the idea that illegal wood cutting and farming are inappropriate farming practices associated with immigration; absence of alternative cash generation sources, overgrazing and increasing demand for wood energy are driving the changes in their ecosystems. Policies that integrate restoration and conservation of natural ecosystems and promote sustainable agroforestry practices in the study zone are highly recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Issa Ouedraogo & Cheikh Mbow & Michael Balinga & Henry Neufeldt, 2015. "Transitions in Land Use Architecture under Multiple Human Driving Forces in a Semi-Arid Zone," Land, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-18, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:4:y:2015:i:3:p:560-577:d:52354
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Headey, Derek & Dereje, Mekdim & Taffesse, Alemayehu Seyoum, 2014. "Land constraints and agricultural intensification in Ethiopia: A village-level analysis of high-potential areas," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 129-141.
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    7. Rasmussen, Laura Vang & Rasmussen, Kjeld & Reenberg, Anette & Proud, Simon, 2012. "A system dynamics approach to land use changes in agro-pastoral systems on the desert margins of Sahel," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 56-64.
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel Etongo & Ida Nadia S. Djenontin & Markku Kanninen, 2016. "Poverty and Environmental Degradation in Southern Burkina Faso: An Assessment Based on Participatory Methods," Land, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Daniel Etongo & Terence Epule Epule & Ida Nadia S Djenontin & Markku Kanninen, 2018. "Land management in rural Burkina Faso: the role of socio‐cultural and institutional factors," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 42(3), pages 201-213, August.
    3. Barbara Vinceti & Michel Valette & Ali Lardia Bougma & Arturo Turillazzi, 2020. "How Is Forest Landscape Restoration Being Implemented in Burkina Faso? Overview of Ongoing Initiatives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Cheikh Mbow, 2020. "Use It Sustainably or Lose It! The Land Stakes in SDGs for Sub-Saharan Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Etongo, Daniel & Kanninen, Markku & Epule, Terence Epule & Fobissie, Kalame, 2018. "Assessing the effectiveness of joint forest management in Southern Burkina Faso: A SWOT-AHP analysis," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 31-38.
    6. David O’Byrne & Altaaf Mechiche-Alami & Anna Tengberg & Lennart Olsson, 2022. "The Social Impacts of Sustainable Land Management in Great Green Wall Countries: An Evaluative Framework Based on the Capability Approach," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-26, February.

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