The Relationship between Land Use Conflicts and Land Cover Changes around Nairobi National Park
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2200/aerj.v3i1.130Keywords:
Conservation, Land Conversion, Environmental ImpactsAbstract
Although land cover and land use changes are important processes that affect the ecological integrity of conservation areas, there are still gaps on how these effects counteract to yield land use conflicts that bedevil protected areas. This study aimed at analyzing the relationship between land use conflicts and land use/land cover changes around Nairobi National Park. A mixed method research design was adopted. A survey was carried out on 331 households in Machakos and Kajiado Counties. Conflict data for the years 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 was obtained from KWS database. Conflict points were georeferenced using ArcGIS version 10.2.1 and plotted on their respective maps. Afterwards, supervised and unsupervised classification were employed for spatial analysis of GIS data for land cover and land use classes respectively for the years between 1984 and 2016. Land use change results highlighted a reduction and increase in various land use forms. Furthermore, land cover analysis also revealed that the percentage of built up areas has consistently been increasing yearly. The major preceding cause for conflicts is land use conversion form one form to the other which had led to high number of conflict cases being experienced.
References
Benjaminsen, T.A., Buhaug, H., Buseth, J. T. and Koffi, A. (2012). Does climate change drive land use conflicts in the SahelɁ Journal of Peace Research 49(1)97-111
Defries, R., Hansen, A., Turner, B. L, Reid, R and Liu, J. (2007). Land use change around protected areas-Management to balance human needs and ecological function. Journal of Ecological Applications.17 (4).pp 1031-1038.
Dickman, A. J. (2010).Complexities of conflict: The importance of considering social factors for effectively resolving human-wildlife conflicts. Animal Conservation.DOI:10.1111/j.1469-1795.2010.Wiley Online Library.
Gichuhi, M. (2013). Ecological management of the Mau catchment area and its impact on Lake Nakuru national park. Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology.
Groot, R. (2006).Function-analysis and valuationas as a tool to assess land use conflicts in planning for sustainable , multi-functional landscapes.Landscape and Urban Planning, 75 pp 175-186
Kioko, J. and Okello, M. (2010). Land use cover and environmental changes in a semi-arid rangeland, Southern Kenya.Journal of Geography and Regional Planning,3(11) pp 322-326
Maitima, J. M., Mugatha, S. M., Reid, R. S., Gachimbi, L. N, Majule, A., Lyaruu, H., Pamery, D., Mathai, S. and Mugisha, S. (2009).The linkages between land use change, land degradation and biodiversity across East Africa. Africa Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. Vol 3, No. 10
Mann, C. and Jeanneaux, P. (2009). Two approaches for land use conflict understanding to improve rural planning and management. Journal of Rural and Community Development,4(1) 118-141.
Ogutu, J. O. (2013). Changing Wildlife Populations in Nairobi National Park and Adjoining Athi-Kaputiei Plains: Collapse of the Migratory Wildebeest. The Open Conservation Biology Journal. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874839201307010011
Okello, M. M., Kiringe, J. W. and Warinwa, F. (2014). Human-Carnivore Conflicts in Private Conservancy Lands of Elerai and Oltiyiani in Amboseli Area, Kenya. Natural Resources, 05(08), 375–391.
Okech, R. N. (2010). Wildlife-community conflicts in conservation areas in Kenya. African Journal on Conflict Resolution. https://doi.org/1562-6997
Sibia, M. G. (2010). Determinants of attitudes and perceptions on resource use and management of Marsabit National Reserve, Kenya. Journal of Human Ecology, 30 (1) pp 55-62.
Sindiga, I. (1995). Wildlife-based tourism in Kenya։land use conflicts and government compensation policies over protected areas. Journal of Tourism Studies,6(2) pp 45-55
Smith, J. (2013). Protected areas: origins, criticism and contemporary issues for outdoor recreation. Centre for Environment and Social Research, Working Paper Series No.15. Birmingham, Birmingham City University
Thornton, J. (2013). New Ecological Paradigm Survey 2008 : Analysis of the NEP results. Waikato Regional Council Technical Report.
Waladji, R. B. and Tchamba, M. N. (2003). Conflict between people and protected areas within the Benoue wildlife conservation, North Cameroon. Oryx,37,1,pp 72-79/
Wamicha, W. N., and Mwanje, I. J. (2000). Environmental management in Kenya: Have the national conservation plans worked ? Environmental Forum Publication Series. No. 2.
Wang, S. W. and MacDonald. (2006). Livestock predation by carnivores in Jigme Singye Wong chuck National Park, Bhutan. Biological Conservation. Vol, 129, Issue, 4, pp 558-565.
