Vegetation and rural land use studies with remote sensing, GIS and RRA techniques

The changing vegetation and land use of a tropical savanna environment was studied using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Incorporating Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) methods into field data collection plans has been found not only useful in checking the consistency of remote sensing findings but also in establishing causes of change. Whilst increasing human population, vegetation exploitation and farming activities are the main causes of change, timber and fuelwood cutting remain the major forms of vegetation exploitation. In an area, lost vegetation was found to re-establish itself in the absence of exploitation pressure. Current high agricultural activities, where 20% of the study area was converted to agriculture in 9 years (1986–1995), whereas only 2% was converted in 22 years (1964–1986) calls for period monitoring. Agricultural policy therefore needs to focus on agricultural and environmental sustainability. The developed methodology, using a multi-disciplinary approach to field data collection, may be important in future remote sensing studies.