Land use/cover changes and their influence on the occurrence of landslides: a case study of the northern slopes of the Uluguru mountains, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Date
2007
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess land use/cover changes and their influence on
the occurrence of landslides in the northern slopes of Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania. The
study focused on the determination of the historical land use/cover changes between 1964
and 2004, evaluation of the biophysical and socio-economic factors influencing land
use/cover changes, and examination of the influence of land use/cover changes on the
occurrence of landslides. Field survey, remote sensing and GIS techniques were employed
to assess land use/cover dynamics. Landslides were mapped through field surveys using
GPS and imported in GIS environment. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect
information on socio-economic activities responsible for land use/cover changes and on
landslides. Statistical analysis was done using SAS and SPSS softwares. The study
demonstrated that land use/cover is dynamic and varies spatially both in terms of coverage
and change. Natural vegetation is increasingly replaced by cultivation and urbanisation.
Change to rainfed agriculture is more intensive on the mountain ridges by two-fold that of
mountain foothills. Urban expansion is very rapid on undulating plains at a mean rate of
about 15 ha per year compared to 2 ha per year on the mountain foothills and <1 ha per
year in the mountain ridges. Geomorphic characteristics, soils, rainfall distribution and
demographic changes are key factors influencing land use/cover dynamics. Land use/cover
dynamics (increase in rainfed and irrigated agriculture) greatly influence the occurrence of
landslides (R = 0.999, P< 0.05). The observed land use/cover dynamics and their
relationship with the occurrence and frequency of landslides call for further research on the
effectiveness of different land use options on landslide rehabilitation. Farmers should be
sensitised on the influence of land use changes on land degradation and the importance of appropriate soil and water conservation measures to mitigate landslides disasters in the
study area.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Landslides, Land use, Natural vegetation, Uluguru mountains