MAPPING OF LAND DEGRADATION FOR NATURAL RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT IN SENEGAL
Drop in biomass production over 6 yr identified areas connected to boreholes
where severe land degradation had taken place.
Land
degradation coursed by unsustainable utilization of natural vegetation by
livestocks is a major problem for management of wildlife in Sahel. In Ferlo
fauna reserves, Senegal,
we used
NOAA AVHRR data for
understanding human
influences on
land degradation
processes and
provide decision support for management of faunal
in
reserves.
Annual changes in bio-mass production over six years
identified
boreholes,
natural
ponds and wadies under
high
pressure.
The satellite derived resource pressure
information
where
linked with areas of
biodiversity
importance to identify areas where natural resource management should be applied
for conserving biodiversity values within the national parks.
This
ground-breaking approach of using low resolution satellite images together with
biodiversity maps and e.g. boreholes has implication for management of natural
resources not only on a national
scale but also
on a regional scale for areas under pressure form pastoralist.
The satellite derived change analysis furthermore revealed a general drying of
the area - which had a traumatic effect on selected tree species.
Prins, E (1997): Natural resources and resource utilization in Ferlo Fauna
reserves, Senegal – A mapping report on natural resources and resource pressure.
Danida/Ornis Consult Ltd. August 1997.
Client: Danida 1994-99
privacy@prins engineering.com
