Using Geospatial Technologies to Assess the Impact of Human Settlement in Mt. Elgon Forest

Abstract

The Mt. Elgon ecosystem is a gazetted forest reserve. Over decades of time, the forest ecosystem has experienced a surge in human population through the government-led Chepyuk settlement. Recently, there was a petition to degazette an extra 11,384 acres of the forest reserve for another resettlement programme. The matter is however still under debate in parliament whose members are divided over the petition. In addition to the legal excisions, illegal encroachment by communities into the forest has further compounded the effects of human activities into the forest reserve. This situation has led to a significant degradation of the forest cover and a shift in the forest structure. This project assessed the effects of human settlement on the forest reserve. The study assessed the changes in settlements, forest cover and forest structure over a period of 36 years using GIS and Remote Sensing technologies. The methods used was mainly classification of satellite imagery using ArcGIS software to determine the changes. Calculation of change in NDVI was employed to demonstrate a change in vegetation cover over the years. Analysis of the results showed a decline in the forest cover. The forest structure has also changed such that the area under mixed montane forest has declined while the area under Bamboo and grasslands has increased. Settlements within the forest ecosystem has increased. This study recommends that a repeat of the same or a similar study employs the use of sensors with high spatial resolution to better quantify the forest population. The study further recommends that policies around forest protection should protect the forest from the proposed excisions. Studies should be done to assess the status and number of the forest trees species in Mt. Elgon forest using geospatial technologies.

The Mt. Elgon ecosystem is a gazetted forest reserve. Over decades of time, the forest ecosystem has experienced a surge in human population through the government-led Chepyuk settlement. Recently, there was a petition to degazette an extra 11,384 acres of the forest reserve for another resettlement programme. The matter is however still under debate in parliament whose members are divided over the petition. In addition to the legal excisions, illegal encroachment by communities into the forest has further compounded the effects of human activities into the forest reserve. This situation has led to a significant degradation of the forest cover and a shift in the forest structure. This project assessed the effects of human settlement on the forest reserve. The study assessed the changes in settlements, forest cover and forest structure over a period of 36 years using GIS and Remote Sensing technologies. The methods used was mainly classification of satellite imagery using ArcGIS software to determine the changes. Calculation of change in NDVI was employed to demonstrate a change in vegetation cover over the years. Analysis of the results showed a decline in the forest cover. The forest structure has also changed such that the area under mixed montane forest has declined while the area under Bamboo and grasslands has increased. Settlements within the forest ecosystem has increased. This study recommends that a repeat of the same or a similar study employs the use of sensors with high spatial resolution to better quantify the forest population. The study further recommends that policies around forest protection should protect the forest from the proposed excisions. Studies should be done to assess the status and number of the forest trees species in Mt. Elgon forest using geospatial technologies.