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Land Use and Land Cover Change Determinants in Raya Valley, Tigray, Northern Ethiopian Highlands

Author

Listed:
  • Eskinder Gidey

    (Department of Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection, College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekelle University, Mekelle P.O. Box 231, Ethiopia)

  • Oagile Dikinya

    (Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Private Bag, Gaborone 00704, Botswana)

  • Reuben Sebego

    (Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Private Bag, Gaborone 00704, Botswana)

  • Eagilwe Segosebe

    (Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Private Bag, Gaborone 00704, Botswana)

  • Amanuel Zenebe

    (Department of Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection, College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekelle University, Mekelle P.O. Box 231, Ethiopia)

  • Said Mussa

    (Department of Statistics, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle P.O. Box 231, Ethiopia)

  • Paidamwoyo Mhangara

    (School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa)

  • Emiru Birhane

    (Department of Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection, College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekelle University, Mekelle P.O. Box 231, Ethiopia
    Institute of Climate and Society, Mekelle University, Mekelle P.O. Box 231, Ethiopia)

Abstract

Land use and land cover change (LULCC) is the result of both natural and socio-economic determinants. The aim of this study was to model the determinant factors of land cover changes in Raya Valley, Southern Tigray, Ethiopia. Multistage sampling was used to collect data from 246 households sampled from lowlands (47), midlands (104), highlands (93), and sub-alpine (2) agro-climatological zone. Descriptive statistics and logit regression model were used to analyze the field survey data. Agricultural land expansion, fuelwood extraction, deforestation, overgrazing and expansion of infrastructure were the proximate causes of LULCC in the study area. Agricultural land expansion ( p = 0.084) and wood extraction for fuel and charcoal production ( p = 0.01) were the prominent causes for LULCC. Persistent drought ( p = 0.001), rapid population growth ( p = 0.027), and climate variability ( p = 0.013) were the underlying driving factors of LULCC. The determinants of LULCC need to be considered and mitigated to draw robust land use policy for sustainable land management by the smallholder farmers. This study provides important results for designing and implementing scientific land management strategies by policy makers and land managers.

Suggested Citation

  • Eskinder Gidey & Oagile Dikinya & Reuben Sebego & Eagilwe Segosebe & Amanuel Zenebe & Said Mussa & Paidamwoyo Mhangara & Emiru Birhane, 2023. "Land Use and Land Cover Change Determinants in Raya Valley, Tigray, Northern Ethiopian Highlands," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:2:p:507-:d:1074793
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Miyamoto, Motoe & Mohd Parid, Mamat & Noor Aini, Zakaria & Michinaka, Tetsuya, 2014. "Proximate and underlying causes of forest cover change in Peninsular Malaysia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 18-25.
    3. Nangware Kajia Msofe & Lianxi Sheng & James Lyimo, 2019. "Land Use Change Trends and Their Driving Forces in the Kilombero Valley Floodplain, Southeastern Tanzania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-25, January.
    4. Bezu, Sosina & Holden, Stein, 2014. "Are Rural Youth in Ethiopia Abandoning Agriculture?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 259-272.
    5. Tenalem Ayenew & Merhawi GebreEgziabher & Seifu Kebede & Sileshi Mamo, 2013. "Integrated assessment of hydrogeology and water quality for groundwater-based irrigation development in the Raya Valley, northern Ethiopia," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(4), pages 480-492, July.
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