Authors :
Tommy Anthony
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 3 - March
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3KBnmbu
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7824830
Abstract :
The main objectives of this study were to
assess the impacts of the population growth on land
degradation over a period of 20 years. Specific objectives
of the study sought to assess the trend of population
growth in the study area, to analyze the extent to which
land is being degraded in Rwamagana district and to
establish the relationship between population growth
and land degradation. To achieve these objectives, the
study utilized quantitative research approach and three
land-sat satellite imageries (2000ETM, 2010 &2020
ETM+) that were processed and analyzed using ERDAS
IMAGINE and GIS software to produce GIS maps to
detect and quantify land cover changes in Rwamagana
district during the years: from 2000 - 2010, and 2010 -
2020. The increase in human population has put
tremendous pressure on natural resources. In Rwanda,
the growing human population is associated with an
increase in developmental needs thus posing a threat to
the land resource. This problem has been noted in the
high potential areas of the country which support a large
population seeking to fully exploit the land resources for
their livelihoods and welfare Increasing land use may
lead to erosion if hills are farmed, or to a reduction in
soil fertility if fallow periods are shortened to the point
that the land has insufficient time to replace lost
nutrients. For the study, both secondary and primary
data were used. The secondary data were collected from
population data of 2000, 2010 and 2020. The study
result revealed that both population number and density
was increased from 2000-2020, and Built up has been
increasing from 30.6% t0 47.6%. Due to high population
growth, agricultural practices have expanded into
upland and marginal areas, and clearing of vegetated
has become prevalent. Thus, the existing population
growth puts pressure on land resources degradation in
the study. However, the utilization of fertilizer and
terracing can prevent such degradation. Land
degradation can be the result of efficient depletion of
land resources for production. In Rwamagana district,
human population has been increasing over the years,
people have changed land use, and land cover and thus it
has been leading to the land degradation. An accuracy
assessment of the satellite imageries classification was
conducted with field assessment points as reference data
and an overall accuracy was determined. The outcomes
of the land use maps will be used to evaluate the impact
of population growth and their human activities on the
land and show that major changes in land use land cover
that have occurred. Based on the research findings, the
recommendations were provided.
Keywords :
Population, Growth, Land Use, Land Cover , Degradation.
The main objectives of this study were to
assess the impacts of the population growth on land
degradation over a period of 20 years. Specific objectives
of the study sought to assess the trend of population
growth in the study area, to analyze the extent to which
land is being degraded in Rwamagana district and to
establish the relationship between population growth
and land degradation. To achieve these objectives, the
study utilized quantitative research approach and three
land-sat satellite imageries (2000ETM, 2010 &2020
ETM+) that were processed and analyzed using ERDAS
IMAGINE and GIS software to produce GIS maps to
detect and quantify land cover changes in Rwamagana
district during the years: from 2000 - 2010, and 2010 -
2020. The increase in human population has put
tremendous pressure on natural resources. In Rwanda,
the growing human population is associated with an
increase in developmental needs thus posing a threat to
the land resource. This problem has been noted in the
high potential areas of the country which support a large
population seeking to fully exploit the land resources for
their livelihoods and welfare Increasing land use may
lead to erosion if hills are farmed, or to a reduction in
soil fertility if fallow periods are shortened to the point
that the land has insufficient time to replace lost
nutrients. For the study, both secondary and primary
data were used. The secondary data were collected from
population data of 2000, 2010 and 2020. The study
result revealed that both population number and density
was increased from 2000-2020, and Built up has been
increasing from 30.6% t0 47.6%. Due to high population
growth, agricultural practices have expanded into
upland and marginal areas, and clearing of vegetated
has become prevalent. Thus, the existing population
growth puts pressure on land resources degradation in
the study. However, the utilization of fertilizer and
terracing can prevent such degradation. Land
degradation can be the result of efficient depletion of
land resources for production. In Rwamagana district,
human population has been increasing over the years,
people have changed land use, and land cover and thus it
has been leading to the land degradation. An accuracy
assessment of the satellite imageries classification was
conducted with field assessment points as reference data
and an overall accuracy was determined. The outcomes
of the land use maps will be used to evaluate the impact
of population growth and their human activities on the
land and show that major changes in land use land cover
that have occurred. Based on the research findings, the
recommendations were provided.
Keywords :
Population, Growth, Land Use, Land Cover , Degradation.