The use of Google Earth engine to analyse changes in Vegetation cover within Shompole and Olkirimatian group Ranches, Kenya

Abstract

Livestock production contribute to nearly a half of agricultural GDP in the country and is the main source of livelihood for the pastoral nomadic communities. These pastoral communities depend on rangelands to provide water and forage to their livestock. In the recent past, there have been unprecedented changes in land cover across Kenya’s rangelands. This have resulted into diminishing grazing areas for the pastoral communities. This study exploits Google Earth Engine (GEE) capabilities to analyse land use land cover changes in Shompole and Olkirimatian group ranches by looking into the changes in total vegetation fractional canopy (TVFC) cover . The study finds that there has been a continuous increase in TVFC cover within the group ranches with major increase coinciding with the intervention work being implemented by the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO). Secondly, it shows that TVFC cover remain higher in farming areas. And last but not least, it highlights the shifting phenomenon of the Shompole swamp. These finding demonstrate, GEE capabilities as a tool that can be utilised in rangeland management.