anthropization; biodiversity; Idjwi Island; Land cover mapping; landscape ecology; remote sensing/GIS; sustainable management; Geography, Planning and Development; Environmental Science (all); Nature and Landscape Conservation; Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Abstract :
[en] Idjwi Island, in Lake Kivu, DRC, faces increased vulnerability to human activities due to its isolation. A 33-year study (1990–2023) analysed land cover changes using remote sensing, landscape metrics, and the Random Forest algorithm. Landsat images were georeferenced, corrected, and classified to assess these changes. Results showed dramatic deforestation, with forest cover dropping from 57.16 km2 (20.61%) in 1990 to 3.25 km2 (1.17%) in 2023, with rates of change between −27.59% and −63.98%. As forests shrank, patch distances increased from 91.73 m to 172.54 m, indicating fragmentation. Savanna and agricultural areas expanded, peaking at 153.75 km2 in 2015 before decreasing to 131.78 km2 in 2023. The landscape disturbance index rose 21-fold, from 84.02 to 3.85. These shifts, driven by agriculture and urbanisation, underline the need for sustainable management, such as reforestation and balanced land use policies, to prevent further environmental degradation.
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Useni Sikuzani, Yannick; Unité Ecologie, Restauration Ecologique et Paysage, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic Congo
Kipili Mwenya, Ildephonse; Département de Gestion des Ressources Naturelles Renouvelables, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Kolwezi, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic Congo
Mukenza, Médard Mpanda ; Département de Gestion des Ressources Naturelles Renouvelables, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Kolwezi, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic Congo
N'tambwe Nghonda, Dieu-Donné ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre ; Unité Ecologie, Restauration Ecologique et Paysage, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic Congo
Cizungu Cirezi, Nadège; Département d’Environnement et de Gestion des Ressources Naturelles, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques et de l’environnement, Université Evangélique en Afrique, Bukavu, Democratic Republic Congo
Malaisse, François ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Biodiversité, Ecosystème et Paysage (BEP)
Bogaert, Jan ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Biodiversité, Ecosystème et Paysage (BEP)
Language :
English
Title :
Thirty-three years of land cover change analysis on Idjwi Island (DRC) using remote sensing and landscape metrics
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