Evaluation of Land Use and Land Cover Change in Mt Kenya and Ngare Ndare Wildlife Corridor

Abstract

Biodiversity ,natural Resource Management, Geography , Environmental Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Wildlife corridors are features connecting two or more otherwise isolated patches of habitat, wildlife corridors are among the areas of land affected by human activities. Securing wildlife dispersal areas and migratory corridors is one of Kenya’s blueprint agenda under Vision 2030, which is essential in the economic and social pillar. This research sought to evaluate land use and cover changes between Mt Kenya and Ngare Ndare Wildlife Corridor that will contribute to the Vision 2030 development Agenda. The aim and focus of the study was to investigate the status and recent trends in the wildlife corridor by considering land use and land cover changes, drivers of land use changes, conservation, and management measures. The study used primary data collected using a questionnaire, key informant interviews, field observation and geospatial techniques. Land cover and land use change analysis was undertaken through the use of satellite images of 1973, 1986, 1995, 2010 and 2017 in order to analyze the land use and cover change. This was done using supervised image classification using ENVI software. In addition, 135 respondents were interviewed from Ntirimiti and Subuiga locations to determine the drivers of land cover and land use change in the corridor. 135 respondents interviewed were selected as follows; the first respondent was selected randomly and every ninth respondent was interviewed. In addition, three key respondents were interviewed. Key informant interview was done to gather information about the past and present land use and cover within the study area. Chi square and correlation were used for data analysis. Based on the data analyzed using correlation, the study found out that, the forest, grassland and bush land vegetation cover had reduced at an alarming rate from 1973 through to 2017. However, the statistical test indicated that the decline is at (-0.94,-0.95 & -0.96 Pearson statistic) for the forest, grassland and bush land vegetation cover respectively. While an increase in the crop cover, building and bare soil were observed over time statistically at 0.98, 0.97 and 0.89 Pearson statistic respectively. In addition, the chi-square significant findings at 0.05 alpha showed that the underlying cause for land use and land cover change in the corridor was attributed to high immigration of people from Katheri, Meru town, Githongo, Egoji and Abuthuguji in response to increasing quest for land. These drivers were influenced mainly by government policy and the ready market for the horticultural crops that are grown hence influencing farmers’ demand for quick and high returns. The findings of stakeholder consultation showed that land use and cover changes have been taking place along the wildlife corridor. Similarly, land use and cover classification done using the satellite image confirmed the land use and land cover has changed. The study concludes that there has been land use and land cover changes along the wildlife corridor and recommends formulation of land use policies that will aid sustainable land use and land cover. Efforts towards the conservation of the wildlife corridor should be taken into account in spatial land use planning.