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Assessment of spatiotemporal dynamics of land and vegetation cover change detection in Maze National Park, Southwest Ethiopia

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Abstract

Biodiversity conservation areas include National Parks which are integral parts of protected areas. In parks, the dynamics of land and vegetation covers are significantly affected by anthropogenic activities and natural factors. These resources are exposed to challenges due to unwise practices. Assessing and monitoring the status of park’s natural resources enables us to understand the extent of land and vegetation resources. Few studies have been conducted in Maze National Park (MzNP) but none of them quantified the land and vegetation cover dynamics. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to quantify the extents spatiotemporal dynamics of land and vegetation cover of MzNP using GIS and RS technology considering three decades Landsat images acquired from USGS. GPS and GCPs were collected for the analysis of land cover classification and accuracy assessment, respectively. The trend analysis result revealed that scattered tree and grass land cover area have increased from 19.8% in 1987 to 51.6% in 2019. The area of sparse vegetation cover increased from 19.7% in 2000 to 78.4% in 2019. Highly dense and dense vegetation cover decreased remarkably. Accuracy assessment was 98% and computed Kappa coefficient was 0.97. The results suggested that the extent of MzNP’s vegetation cover change was basically due to anthropogenic pressure. This study could be used to alarm responsible bodies to restructure and implement better environmental protection strategies for restoration of the rapidly deteriorating vegetation resource of MzNP.

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Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Arba Minch University and Wolaita Sodo University for the support provided during this research work. We are grateful to Maze National Park management staffs and scouts. We are thankful to the stakeholders and experts for their collaboration during field data collection session.

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Arba Minch University and Wolaita Sodo University for the funding provided during this research work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia

    Alemu Zewude

  2. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

    Alemu Zewude & Vannum Govindu

  3. Department of Biology, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

    Simon Shibru

  4. Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Zerihun Woldu

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  1. Alemu Zewude
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  2. Vannum Govindu
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Contributions

Alemu Zewude has designed the research methodology, collected data, and analyzed, discussed, and wrote the manuscript. Govindu Vannum played his part in GIS and RS analysis. Simon Shibru and Zerihun Woldu have made significant contribution in data analysis, interpretation, writing, and pertinent comments and suggestions in shaping this manuscript.

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Correspondence to Alemu Zewude.

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Zewude, A., Govindu, V., Shibru, S. et al. Assessment of spatiotemporal dynamics of land and vegetation cover change detection in Maze National Park, Southwest Ethiopia. Environ Monit Assess 194, 460 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10039-2

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