Abstract
An analysis of land cover changes (LCCs) was done in Image Forest Reserve (IFR) from August to October 2019. Free satellite images for 1990, 2004, and 2018 were downloaded from Landsat 5 (TM) and Landsat 8 (OLI) available through the USGS portal. Ground surveys were conducted using systematically set plots of 20 m × 40 m to identify the existing land cover types and human illegal activities. Geographical coordinates for each of these plots were recorded using handheld GPS. We witnessed the changes of land cover types in the three decades. Forest had contracted, while shrubland and grassland and woodland had expanded within IFR. Between 1990 and 2004, woodland, bareland and rocky outcrops, shrubland, and grassland had consistently decreased though at a different rate of change, while forest has increased between the same assessment periods. The period of 2004–2018 has shown a consistent increase at different rates in woodland, bareland and rocky outcrops, shrubland, and grassland at a different rate of change, while forest has decreased between the same assessment periods. Further study is needed, bylaws and laws should be implemented, participatory forest management should be encouraged, beekeeping and ecotourism should be introduced, provision of regular education to the community by the Tanzania Forest Service (TFS) should be encouraged, and awareness creation should be made.
Highlights
An analysis of land cover changes (LCCs) was done in Image Forest Reserve (IFR) from August to October 2019
Between 1990 and 2004, woodland, bareland and rocky outcrops, shrubland, and grassland had consistently decreased though at a different rate of change, while forest has increased between the same assessment periods. e period of 2004–2018 has shown a consistent increase at different rates in woodland, bareland and rocky outcrops, shrubland, and grassland at a different rate of change, while forest has decreased between the same assessment periods
IFR is a part of the Eastern Arc Mountain (EAM) region, characterized with complex species-rich vegetation types [12, 13]. e diverse communities within the EAM make it harbour more than 40% of endemic plant species [14,15,16,17] are part of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot [18,19,20]
Summary
2.1. e Description and Location of the Study Area. IFR is found in Kilolo District, Iringa Region. e reserve falls under three wards, namely, the Image ward (to the south west), Ibumu ward (to the west and northwest), and Mahenge ward (to the east) (Figure 1). E area experiences one season of rain from November to April with an annual rainfall of 1500 mm [40], and the annual temperature ranges between 15° and 20°C [41]. IFR experiences only one season of rain from November to April, with an annual rainfall of 1500 mm [40], and annual temperature ranges between 15°C and 20°C [41]. E grassland is well represented in areas without the closed canopy of woody plant species, making IFR have distinct patches either within the woodland or forest. Irrigation farming is prominent during dry season and mostly practised very close to IFR’s boundary, especially at the Iyai village in the Image ward, while for Ibumu and Mahenge wards, cultivation is done very close to the buffer zone. L.), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) [41] has resulted into clearance of pristine land cover types for establishing new farms and changes land cover to unforeseeable new cover types
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