Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics: Deriving Forces and Perceptions of Local Community in Derashe, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) reached a point where we must reconcile. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the LULC changes, deriving forces, and the local community perceptions in Derashe, Southern Ethiopia. Landsat Series sensors’ 4, 5, and 8 imagery was used to analyze the LULC over the year. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) were used to assess the deriving force and perceptions. Maximum likelihood of the supervised digital image classification technique was employed. Postclassification was used to detect and quantify changes. Deriving force and perception data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and narration. Five major LULC classes were identified. A major increase was observed in settlement and agricultural land by displacing forest and bush lands. However, the water body was fluctuated. According to the local community, the agricultural land expansion and growing population pressure are the major proximate and underlying deriving forces, respectively. Therefore, proper design for efficient use is necessary.