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Assessing the Underlying Drivers of Change over Two Decades of Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics along the Standard Gauge Railway Corridor, Kenya

Author

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  • Catherine C. Sang

    (Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation, Department of Earth and Climate Science, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
    Department of Environmental Monitoring, Planning and Management, University of Eldoret, Eldoret 30100, Kenya)

  • Daniel O. Olago

    (Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation, Department of Earth and Climate Science, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • Tobias O. Nyumba

    (Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation, Department of Earth and Climate Science, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
    African Conservation Centre, Nairobi 00509, Kenya
    Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, 290 Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5NG, UK)

  • Robert Marchant

    (Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, 290 Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5NG, UK)

  • Jessica P. R. Thorn

    (Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, 290 Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5NG, UK
    School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, Irvine Building, North Street, St Andrews KY16 9AL, UK)

Abstract

Land cover has been modified by anthropogenic activities for thousands of years, although the speed of change has increased in recent decades, particularly driven by socio-economic development. The development of transport infrastructure can accelerate land use land cover change, resulting in impacts on natural resources such as water, biodiversity, and food production. To understand the interaction between land cover and social–ecological drivers, changing land cover patterns and drivers of change must be identified and quantified. This study documents land cover dynamics along the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) corridor in Kenya and evaluates the underlying drivers of this change from 2000 to 2019. The study utilised GIS and remote sensing techniques to assess the land use and land cover changes along the SGR corridor, while correlational and regression analyses were used to evaluate various drivers of the changes. Results showed that built-up areas, bare lands, water bodies, croplands and forests increased by 144.39%, 74.73%, 74.42%, 9.32% and 4.85%, respectively, while wetlands, grasslands and shrub lands reduced by 98.54%, 67.00% and 33.86%, respectively. The underlying drivers responsible for these land use and land cover dynamics are population growth, urbanisation, economic growth and agro-ecological factors. Such land cover changes affect environmental sustainability, and we stress the need to adequately identify and address the cumulative social and environmental impacts of mega-infrastructure projects and their interacting investments. The findings of this study provide an evidence base for the evaluation of the social–ecological impacts of the SGR and the implementation of best practices that will lead to enhanced sustainability in the development corridors in Kenya and beyond.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine C. Sang & Daniel O. Olago & Tobias O. Nyumba & Robert Marchant & Jessica P. R. Thorn, 2022. "Assessing the Underlying Drivers of Change over Two Decades of Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics along the Standard Gauge Railway Corridor, Kenya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:10:p:6158-:d:818840
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bouraima, Mouhamed Bayane & Alimo, Philip Kofi & Agyeman, Stephen & Sumo, Peter Davis & Lartey-Young, George & Ehebrecht, Daniel & Qiu, Yanjun, 2023. "Africa's railway renaissance and sustainability: Current knowledge, challenges, and prospects," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).

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