Modelling Land Degradation in Migori County

International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science

© 2018 by SSRG - IJAES Journal

Volume 5 Issue 2

Year of Publication : 2018

Authors : Ruth Khatioli Sirengo, Charles N. Mundia, Arthur W.Sichangi

10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V5I2P105

How to Cite?

Ruth Khatioli Sirengo, Charles N. Mundia, Arthur W.Sichangi, " Modelling Land Degradation in Migori County," SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science, vol. 5,  no. 2, pp. 32-44, 2018. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V5I2P105

Abstract:

Land degradation is a complex environmental problem which results from different factors. Identification of areas vulnerable to degradation over different times is important in the development of natural resource management and to safeguard the environment. The objective of this study was to model land degradation vulnerability in Migori County for over 30 year period, through the integration of GIS, RS and multicriteria analysis. Land degradation variables identified through previous literatures and opinion from expert groups were, soil erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length, vegetation cover, and population density. The County was classified into 6 land use land cover classes, open water, wetlands, wooded grassland, open grassland, crop land and other land, using supervised classification. Change detection was carried out and expansion of crop land by 11.15% observed. To model land degradation, multicriteria analysis was used and the weights of the indicators were calculated through pairwise comparison and combined using the weighted overlay tool in ArcGIS. The result shows that land degradation was classified into very low, low, moderate and high degradation, with moderate degradation being dominant. Given the worsening degradation trends, there is need for strengthening local institutions that effectively monitor and manage natural resources in order to curb land degradation

Keywords:

AHP, GIS& RS, Land degradation, LULC, Modelling

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