THE IMPACT OF LAND USE- LAND COVER CHANGE ON RANGELAND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN SHINILE DISTRICT, SITI ZONE, SOMALI REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the dynamics of land-use-land-cover change and its effect on the rangeland ecosystem services of Shinile district. Landsat images of 1999, 2009, 2019 were downloaded from USGS earth explorer with a spatial resolution of 30 m and preprocessed and classified by using ERDAS imagine software to identify land cover types. The ground control points were collected from the field to assist the land use-land cover classification. In addition, a key informant interview was conducted about historical trends of land-use-land cover and the benefits of rangeland resources of the district. Error matrix and Kappa coefficient were calculated to detect the accuracy assessment. Ecosystem service value estimation was conducted through a locally modified valuation method and the coefficient of sensitivity was determined to check the uncertainty and robustness of the method. Over-all accuracy was 89.55% and kappa statistics was 0.86. For the whole study period, most of the district area coverage was covered by bare land. Between 1999- 2009 bare land, cultivated land and settlement cover were increased in the district. In contrast, shrub-land and grassland coverage were decreased. Increase the coverage of cultivated land suggested that changing of the way of life from pastoralist’s to agro pastoral. During 2009- 2019 the cultivated land was incremented at the highest rate of (4.75%). On the contrary, grassland decreased at the highest rate (6.83%). The study also revealed increased trends of conversion of grassland and shrub land to bare land and cultivated land. Among ecosystem service categories the rangeland provided the highest regulating service (621.1) million US dollars of total ESV which was generated mainly from shrub land during the study period. In contrast, the least value was cultural services 6.15 million US dollar of total ESV. Between 1999 -2019 about 40.47 million US dollars total ecosystem service value was lost in the rangeland of the district due to the effects of land use-land cover change. The study result indicated that rangeland ecosystem services were declined during the study period. Furthermore, information from key informant indicated the decline in main services from livestock production and which is a threat to pastoralists’ livelihood. Therefore, Sustainable management of rangeland resources and rehabilitation of the rangeland vegetation through promoting area enclosure and proper grazing is encouraged in the future