Spatio-temporal analysis of vegetation cover and socio-environmental implications in Korhogo (Northern Côte d’Ivoire) from 1990-2020

This study analyses the dynamics of vegetation cover and its socio-environmental implications in the Korhogo region in northern Côte d’Ivoire over the period 1990-2020. The methodology combines the processing of Landsat satellite images and the analysis of data collected from 114 heads of households in three outlying villages (Dikodougou, Nafoun, Sinematiali). The results reveal a major transformation of the landscape with an 85.9% expansion of agriculture at the expense of forest formations, which have declined by 47.4%. Climate analyses show a reduction in rainfall from 1,405.6 mm (1990-1999) to 1,094.0 mm (2010-2019), accompanied by thermal variability. Analysis of vegetation cover trends indicates that 55.4% of the study area is experiencing varying degrees of degradation, compared to only 36.4% of stable areas. The villagers’ perception confirms these changes, with 72% to 84.2% of the populations surveyed reporting degradation of vegetation cover. These environmental changes are generating conflicts of use, increased pressure on natural resources and internal migration, requiring urgent adaptation strategies for sustainable resource management.