scholarly journals Spatial Evolution of Prosopis Invasion and its Effects on LULC and Livelihoods in Baringo, Kenya

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Purity Rima ◽  
Wai-Tim Ng ◽  
Urs Schaffner ◽  
Maina Gichaba ◽  
Dan Olago ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Rural People ◽  
Random Forest Classification ◽  
Lulc Changes ◽  
Forest Classification ◽  
Landsat Satellite

Woody alien plant species have been deliberately introduced globally in many arid and semi-arid regions as they can provide services and goods to the rural poor. However, some of these alien trees and shrubs have become invasive over time, with important impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well-being. Prosopis was introduced in Baringo County, Kenya, in the 1980s, but since then it has spread rapidly from the original plantations to new areas. To assess land use and land cover (LULC) changes and dynamics in Baringo, we used a combination of dry and wet season Landsat satellite data acquired in a 7-year time interval between 1988 and 2016 and performed a supervised Random Forest classification. For each time interval we calculated extent of the invasion, rates of spread and gains and losses of specific LULC classes. We further assessed the relative importance of Prosopis invasion on LULC changes and ultimately on the provision of ecosystem services rural people depend on. Overall accuracy and kappa coefficients of the LULC classifications ranged between 98.1 % and 98.5 %, and 0.93 and 0.96, respectively. We found that Prosopis coverage increased from 882 ha in 1988 to 18,792 ha in 2016. Highest negative change in LULC classes was found for grasslands (-6252 ha; -86 %), irrigated cropland (-849 ha; -57 %), Vachellia tortilis dominated vegetation (-3602 ha; -42 %), and rainfed cropland (-1432 ha; -37 %) – all of them important categories with regard to rural people’s livelihoods. Prosopis invasion alone directly accounted for over 30% of these negative changes, suggesting that Prosopis invasion is a key driver of the observed LULC changes in Baringo County. The observed rates of invasion are alarming and ask for urgent implementation of coordinated and sustainable Prosopis management in Baringo and other invaded areas in East Africa.

scholarly journals Spatial Evolution of Prosopis Invasion and its Effects on LULC and Livelihoods in Baringo, Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Purity Rima Mbaabu ◽  
Wai-Tim Ng ◽  
Urs Schaffner ◽  
Maina Gichaba ◽  
Daniel Olago ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Random Forest Classification ◽  
Lulc Changes ◽  
Forest Classification ◽  
Landsat Satellite ◽  
Gains And Losses

Woody alien plant species have been deliberately introduced globally in many arid and semi-arid regions, as they can provide services and goods to the rural poor. However, some of these alien trees and shrubs have become invasive over time, with important impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human well-being. Prosopis was introduced in Baringo County, Kenya, in the 1980s, but since then, it has spread rapidly from the original plantations to new areas. To assess land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes and dynamics in Baringo, we used a combination of dry and wet season Landsat satellite data acquired over a seven-year time interval between 1988–2016, and performed a supervised Random Forest classification. For each time interval, we calculated the extent of Prosopis invasion, rates of spread, gains and losses of specific LULC classes, and the relative importance of Prosopis invasion on LULC changes. The overall accuracy and kappa coefficients of the LULC classifications ranged between 98.1–98.5% and 0.93–0.96, respectively. We found that Prosopis coverage increased from 882 ha in 1988 to 18,792 ha in 2016. The highest negative changes in LULC classes were found for grasslands (−6252 ha; −86%), irrigated cropland (−849 ha; −57%), Vachellia tortilis-dominated vegetation (−3602 ha; −42%), and rainfed cropland (−1432 ha; −37%). Prosopis invasion alone directly accounted for over 30% of these negative changes, suggesting that Prosopis invasion is a key driver of the observed LULC changes in Baringo County. Although the management of Prosopis by utilization has been promoted in Baringo for 10–15 years, the spread of Prosopis has not stopped or slowed down. This suggests that Prosopis management in Baringo and other invaded areas in East Africa needs to be based on a more integrated approach.

scholarly journals Spatial analysis, local people’s perception and economic valuation of wetland ecosystem services in the Usumacinta floodplain, Southern Mexico

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Camacho-Valdez ◽  
Andrea Saenz-Arroyo ◽  
Andrea Ghermandi ◽  
Dario A. Navarrete-Gutiérrez ◽  
Rocío Rodiles-Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Economic Valuation ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Biodiversity Indicators ◽  
Southern Mexico ◽  
Rural People ◽  
Wetland Ecosystems ◽  
Local Perception

The Usumacinta floodplain is an exceptional area for biodiversity with important ecosystem services for local people. The main objective of this paper was to estimate reference values and define local perceptions of ecosystem services provided by wetlands and overlapping them with spatially explicit socioeconomic and biodiversity indicators. We used the Usumacinta floodplain as an example of a territory where high dependence of rural people on ecosystem services is confronted with development projects that threat the flow of ecosystem services, thus affecting rural people well-being. With a combination of data from remote sensing, global databases of ecosystem service values, local perception of ecosystem services and socioeconomic and biodiversity richness indicators in a spatially explicit framework, we develop a policy-oriented approach for rapid assessment to manage wetlands and maintain people’s livelihoods. Regulating and provisioning services are identified as the most relevant ecosystem services in terms of their monetary value and local perceived importance. In a spatially explicit manner, this approach highlights the most valuable wetlands and identifies rural societies that are highly dependent on ecosystem services. Our approach can be replicated elsewhere and could provide valuable information for policymakers to design policies that can contribute to conserve wetland ecosystems where under threat of development.

scholarly journals Civic Ecology Uplifts Low-Income Communities, Improves Ecosystem Services and Well-Being, and Strengthens Social Cohesion

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1300
Author(s):  
Rashieda Davids ◽  
Mathieu Rouget ◽  
Margaret Burger ◽  
Kirsten Mahood ◽  
Ntswaki Ditlhale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
River Water ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Care Programme ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Civic Ecology

Ecosystem services enhance well-being and the livelihoods of disadvantaged communities. Civic ecology can enhance social–ecological systems; however, their contributions to ecosystem services are rarely measured. We analysed the outcomes of civic ecology interventions undertaken in Durban, South Africa, as part of the Wise Wayz Water Care programme (the case study). Using mixed methods (household and beneficiary (community members implementing interventions) surveys, interviews, field observations, and workshops), we identified ecosystem service use and values, as well as the benefits of six interventions (solid waste management and removal from aquatic and terrestrial areas, recycling, invasive alien plant control, river water quality monitoring, vegetable production, and community engagement). Ecosystem services were widely used for agriculture, subsistence, and cultural uses. River water was used for crop irrigation, livestock, and recreation. Respondents noted numerous improvements to natural habitats: decrease in invasive alien plants, less pollution, improved condition of wetlands, and increased production of diverse vegetables. Improved habitats were linked to enhanced ecosystem services: clean water, agricultural production, harvesting of wood, and increased cultural and spiritual activities. Key social benefits were increased social cohesion, education, and new business opportunities. We highlight that local communities can leverage natural capital for well-being and encourage policy support of civic ecology initiatives.

scholarly journals Análise de acurácia para o mapeamento de áreas queimadas utilizando uma cena VIIRS 1Km e classificação por Random Forest

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 3225
Author(s):  
Juarez Antonio da Silva Júnior ◽  
Ubiratan Joaquim da Silva Júnior ◽  
Admilson Da Penha Pacheco
Keyword(s):  
Random Forest ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Fire Detection ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Validation Data ◽  
Random Forest Classification ◽  
Burned Areas ◽  
Forest Classification

A disponibilidade gratuita de dados de sensoriamento remoto em áreas atingidas por incêndios florestais em escala global oferece a oportunidade de geração sistemática de produtos terrestres de média resolução espacial, porém as conhecidas limitações de precisão é objeto de estudo em todo o mundo. Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a acurácia da detecção de áreas queimadas utilizando o classificador Random Forest (RF) por meio de uma cena do sensor Radiômetro de Imagem Infravermelho Visível (VIIRS) (1Km) em quatro pontos da savana brasileira. Os resultados foram validados através dos produtos de referência espacial de áreas queimadas: Aq30m, Fire_cci e MCD64A1 por meio de uma abordagem estratificada possibilitando a amostragem dos dados no espaço e tempo. Os modelos de RF avaliados com seus parâmetros de entrada, em que, incluiu-se 400 árvores e um atributo, fornecendo uma taxa de erro abaixo de 4%. Os resultados mostraram que o mapeamento validado com o produto Aq30m apresentou importantes estimativas de Coeficiente de Sorensen-Dice enquanto a validação realizada entre os modelos globais, o MCD64A1 mostrou-se com maior exatidão (>50%) principalmente em feições de áreas queimadas de grandes proporções (> 200Km²). Em particular, a análise sugere que a validação de produtos de área queimada sempre deve estar ligada ao tempo mínimo da data dos dados de validação e o tamanho da área atingida pelo fogo. Os resultados mostram que esta abordagem é muito útil para ser usado para determinar áreas de floresta queimada.      Accuracy analysis for mapping burnt areas using a 1Km VIIRS scene and Random Forest classification A B S T R A C TThe availability of remote sensing data with medium spatial resolution has offered several mapping possibilities for areas affected by forest fires on the Earth's surface. In this context, the analysis of sensor spatial accuracy limitations has been the subject of global research. The objective of this study was to analyze the mapping accuracy of the VIIRS sensor on board the NOAA satellite, using the Random Forest (RF) classifier for the detection of burned areas, in four points of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park - Goiás, inserted in the Brazilian savanna. The methodology consisted in validating the classification using the Sorensen-Dice coefficient (SD) in a stratified approach, using as reference the products: Aq30m, Fire_cci and MCD64A1. As a result, the RF models, included 400 trees and one attribute, with an error of less than 4%. Among the global models, the MCD64A1 presented a significant accuracy, greater than 50%, especially in features of burned areas greater than 200Km². Thus, the data suggest that the quality of accuracy of the validation process of mapping products for burned areas is associated with the minimum time interval of availability of validation data and the size of the area affected by fire. Based on this, the results show effectiveness in using the RF algorithm on medium spatial resolution images for fire detection in seasonally dry forests, such as the Cerrado.Keywords: Cerrado, fires, Random Forest.

Monetäre Bewertung von Ökosystemleistungen: eine kritische Sicht auf einige Kritiken (Essay)

2017 ◽  
Vol 168 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Elsasser
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Decision ◽  
Monetary Valuation ◽  
Intrinsic Values ◽  
Ethical Norms ◽  
Valuation Of Ecosystem Services ◽  
Environmental Valuations

Monetary valuation of ecosystem services: a critical view of some critiques (essay) Diverse objections against the monetary valuation of ecosystem services are being raised in transdisciplinary discussions as well as in the scientific literature. The monetary valuation is said to overlook nature's intrinsic values, to infringe ethical norms, to narrow down perspectives to economic welfare alone, or even to nothing but material well-being, to stimulate the commercialisation of nature – conversely, others criticize that it fails exactly in this respect –, to favour social inequality, and to rely upon undependable methods. This essay questions the cogency of these criticisms and highlights some prejudices and misconceptions, often rooted in an erroneous understanding of the function of environmental valuations in the political decision process.

Multiple values of Bhitarkanika mangroves for human well-being: synthesis of contemporary scientific knowledge for mainstreaming ecosystem services in policy planning

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Kadaverugu ◽  
Shalini Dhyani ◽  
Rajarshi Dasgupta ◽  
Pankaj Kumar ◽  
Shizuka Hashimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Planning

scholarly journals Sensitivity Analysis of Sentinel-1 Backscatter to Oil Palm Plantations at Pluriannual Scale: A Case Study in Gabon, Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2075
Author(s):  
J. David Ballester-Berman ◽  
Maria Rastoll-Gimenez
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Radar Signatures ◽  
The Times

The present paper focuses on a sensitivity analysis of Sentinel-1 backscattering signatures from oil palm canopies cultivated in Gabon, Africa. We employed one Sentinel-1 image per year during the 2015–2021 period creating two separated time series for both the wet and dry seasons. The first images were almost simultaneously acquired to the initial growth stage of oil palm plants. The VH and VV backscattering signatures were analysed in terms of their corresponding statistics for each date and compared to the ones corresponding to tropical forests. The times series for the wet season showed that, in a time interval of 2–3 years after oil palm plantation, the VV/VH ratio in oil palm parcels increases above the one for forests. Backscattering and VV/VH ratio time series for the dry season exhibit similar patterns as for the wet season but with a more stable behaviour. The separability of oil palm and forest classes was also quantitatively addressed by means of the Jeffries–Matusita distance, which seems to point to the C-band VV/VH ratio as a potential candidate for discrimination between oil palms and natural forests, although further analysis must still be carried out. In addition, issues related to the effect of the number of samples in this particular scenario were also analysed. Overall, the outcomes presented here can contribute to the understanding of the radar signatures from this scenario and to potentially improve the accuracy of mapping techniques for this type of ecosystems by using remote sensing. Nevertheless, further research is still to be done as no classification method was performed due to the lack of the required geocoded reference map. In particular, a statistical assessment of the radar signatures should be carried out to statistically characterise the observed trends.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Equity and Regional Management of Some Urban Green Space Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of Main Urban Area of Xi’an City

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 813
Author(s):  
Hui Dang ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Yumeng Zhang ◽  
Zixiang Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Green Space ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Deposition Flux ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Xi’An City

Urban green spaces can provide many types of ecosystem services for residents. An imbalance in the pattern of green spaces leads to an inequality of the benefits of such spaces. Given the current situation of environmental problems and the basic geographical conditions of Xi’an City, this study evaluated and mapped four kinds of ecosystem services from the perspective of equity: biodiversity, carbon sequestration, air purification, and climate regulation. Regionalization with dynamically constrained agglomerative clustering and partitioning (REDCAP) was used to obtain the partition groups of ecosystem services. The results indicate that first, the complexity of the urban green space community is low, and the level of biodiversity needs to be improved. The dry deposition flux of particulate matter (PM2.5) decreases from north to south, and green spaces enhance the adsorption of PM2.5. Carbon sequestration in the south and east is higher than that in the north and west, respectively. The average surface temperature in green spaces is lower than that in other urban areas. Second, urban green space resources in the study area are unevenly distributed. Therefore, ecosystem services in different areas are inequitable. Finally, based on the regionalization of integrated ecosystem services, an ecosystem services cluster was developed. This included 913 grid spaces, 12 partitions, and 5 clusters, which can provide a reference for distinct levels of ecosystem services management. This can assist urban managers who can use these indicators of ecosystem service levels for planning and guiding the overall development pattern of green spaces. The benefits would be a maximization of the ecological functions of green spaces, an improvement of the sustainable development of the city, and an improvement of people’s well-being.

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