Spatio-temporal dynamics of land use / land cover in the commune of Dori

Abstract

Land use / land cover is a fundamental variable for the sustainable management of resources as well as for the study and understanding of environmental phenomena. Nowadays, it has become essential in most mapping and monitoring inventories of environmental phenomena. This study aims to assess the changes affecting land use / land cover in the municipality of Dori. The methodological approach is based on the interpretation of Landsat images from three periods (1995, 2006 and 2015). Cartographic data analysis revealed a decrease in the area of natural formations by 16.86% and an increase in anthropized areas by 80%. The matrix of changes made it possible to observe that the tree steppe underwent a more marked transformation of 6.45% into shrub and grassy steppe; 1.42% in rainfed crops. The conversion of shrub / grassy steppes into mosaics of fields is notably observed with a conversion of 13.77%. The study found that human activities are the main drivers of observed changes in land use and occupation in the study area, but variability in rainfall likely also contributed to these observed changes. The results of this study therefore constitute fundamental elements that will help decision-makers in decision-making for the sustainable management of natural resources.