Abstract
Anthropogenic factors are responsible for major land use and land cover changes (LULCC). Bale Mountain Eco-Region in Ethiopia is a biodiversity-rich ecosystem where such LULCC have occurred. The specific objectives of this study were to: (i) determine which LULC types gained or lost most as a result of the observed LULCC; (ii) identify the major drivers of the LULCC/deforestation; and (iii) assess the approximate amount of carbon stock removed as a result of deforestation during the study period. Remote sensing and GIS were used to analyze LULCC. Landsat images acquired in 1985, 1995, 2005, and 2015 were used. Additionally, data from the Central Statistics Agency on cropland expansion, and human and livestock population growth were analyzed and correlations were made. The results showed that forest lost 123,751 ha while farmland gained 292,294 ha. Farmland and urban settlement expansion were found to be major drivers of LULCC. Aboveground carbon stock removed from forest and shrubland was more than 24 million tons. In the future, allocation of land to different uses must be based on appropriate land use policies. Integrating biodiversity and ecosystem values for each land cover as per the UN Sustainable Development Goal (UN-SDG) 15.9 may be one of the mechanisms to limit unplanned expansion or invasion of one sector at the expense of another.
Highlights
Land use and land cover change (LULCC) refers to human modification of the terrestrial surface of the Earth [1]
The following research questions were addressed: (i) Which LULC types gained or lost most as a result of the observed LULCC? (ii) What are the major drivers of the LULCC/deforestation? and (iii) What was the approximate amount of carbon stock removed as a result of deforestation during the study period?
We considered crop production and human and livestock population growth to see if there was any correlation with LULCC
Summary
Land use and land cover change (LULCC) refers to human modification of the terrestrial surface of the Earth [1]. The negative impact of LULCC on biodiversity, climate, water, soil, and air, in particular, and on ecosystem services in general, has been recognized as one of the greatest environmental concerns for human populations today [2]. Much of the direct change is a consequence of land use, and today about 40% of the land surface is used for agriculture (crops and pasture) [3]. Tree plantations, urbanization in order to produce food, timber, housing, and other commodities have resulted in the reduction of many ecosystem services, including biodiversity [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
