remote sensing & environmental change workshop. 12-13 june, 2007 nairobi integrating remote...

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Integrating Remote sensing and GIS for mapping

community rangelandsLucy Waruingi

African Conservation CentreKENYA

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Objectives of Study• Objective 1: Integrating remote sensing

and GIS to analyse the land cover/land-use on community rangelands

• Objective 2: Determining areas of biological importance with regard to wildlife in community rangelands

• Objective 3: Selecting areas suitable/viable for monitoring by community game scouts

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Community rangelands• Dry lands make up 40% of the earth’s land mass

and support nearly 2 billion people (White et al., 2002).

• Well endowed with flora and fauna and scenic landscapes with major tourism potential

• In Kenya they are set up as group ranches, members share the natural resources

• Maasai have long history of co-existence • Occupation mainly pastoralism or mixed farming

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Threats to rangelands• Population growth• Sedenarisation• Land subdivision• Habitat fragmentation• Conflicting land uses• Human-wildlife conflict• Competition for resources• Drought• Climate change

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Mapping of rangelands• Collection and compilation of biological data and

mapping of resources has been the preserve of scientists

• In Kenya remote sensing research has been generally focused on land cover changes and habitat distribution in and around national parks (Serneels et al. 2001; Oindo et al. 2003).

• Involvement of the local people in collecting and mapping information of their own rangelands is critical for sustainable use of their resources

• Use of landsat imagery, various GIS techniques, with other biological data provides a framework for mapping of community rangelands

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Why use maps?

• Maps provide a common language for communities to participate in managing of their lands

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Landsat ETM+ 2000 – 2001False color

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Classified Landsat ETM+land cover/use

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

GIS analysis of Wildlife Resources

• Wildlife census on 5*5 km grid (30 years of data) analysed for wet and dry seasons

– Use remote sensing to get a snapshot of landscape (landcover/landuse)

– Use GIS to summarise historical ecological and biological data

– Train scouts on basic ecology, human-wildlife conflict, tourism, map reading, use of GPS and environmental management

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Landcover * Wildlife

distribution (WET)

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Landcover * Wildlife

distribution (DRY)

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Scientists - Scouts

• Conventional mapping of resources:– field biologists to

collect data regularly for years

– Special equipment– Set of tools and

methods

• Community scouts- Unschooled &

unskilled- No equipment /

tools- Foot/bicycle patrols+Knowledge of their

landscape+Have co-existed

with for decades with nature

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Engaging the local people

• Modified monitoring sheets translated to local languages

– Use remote sensing to get a snapshot of landscape (landcover/landuse)

– Use GIS to summarise historical ecological and biological data

– Train scouts on basic ecology, human-wildlife conflict, tourism, map reading, use of GPS and environmental management

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Simplified monitoring sheets WEEKLY

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Community Scouts - Transects

Viewshed analysis

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Community Scouts NetworkScouts Radio Network in Amboseli

•On predetermined walking transects

•Selected habitats from classified image

•Use of DEM and visibility to determine suitable sampling areas for each habitat

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

r

rr

r

$

$

;$

;

Kitengela

Nairobi City

Amboseli Park

Maasai MaraReserve

Nairobi National ParkNairobi National Park

Kajiado

KAJIADO

NAROK

Lorngosua

Ngatataek

Ntulele

Suswa

Bisil

Kiserian

Elangatawuas

Lake Natron

Maisigiria

Entasopia

Kitengela

Oltepesi

Oloika

Skybed

Mosiro

Namanga

Magadi

Shompole

Meto

Kajiado

Emotoroki

Nairobi City

Torosei

KAJIADO

NAROK

Amboseli Park

Maasai MaraReserve

Nairobi National Park

NAROK

Nairobi National Park

Donyo Seleken

Fig. 4 - SOUTH RIFT CROP DAMAGE, HUMAN INJURY, DEATH ANDPROPERTY DAMAGE

Administrative boundaries

Wildlife protected areas

Elevation Contours

LEGENDCrop damageHuman death or injuryProperty damage

Map prepared by the African Conservation CentreGIS dept. and Elephant Programme, 2006

N

r$

;

Crop damage, Human death, injury, property damage

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Tourism (facilities and activities)Livestock (grazing patterns)

Security (communication, patrols)Agriculture

InfrastructureMarketing

Conservation areaSettlements

Map A

Map B

Joint management plan

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Achievements

• Monitoring over the last 2 years has enhanced understanding of the area and resource use and conflict

• Information of wildlife numbers, habitat conditions, impact of drought and poached species available

• Joint participatory landuse zoning brings ownership to the agreed on landuse plans

• Joint security operations and anti-poaching patrols

• Environmental protection – charcoal burning

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

More achievements….

• Engaging in eco-tourism enterprises

• Setting aside of conservation areas

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Challenges• Current satellite imagery quite

costly, this study used data of 2000, 2001

• Technical expertise is required in interpretation of images

• Establishing consistent classes for landcover interpretation

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Conclusion• GIS and Remote sensing can be used as tools to

enhance the monitoring & mapping community rangelands

• Maps provide a framework for integration of local spatial knowledge and provides a common language

• Local communities can learn adapted data collection methodologies for management and use of their environment and natural resources.

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop. 12-13 June, 2007 Nairobi

Asante Sana!

www.conservationafrica.org lucy.waruingi@acc.or.ke