Journal of
Geography and Regional Planning

  • Abbreviation: J. Geogr. Reg. Plann.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2070-1845
  • DOI: 10.5897/JGRP
  • Start Year: 2008
  • Published Articles: 398

Full Length Research Paper

Fragmentation rate and landscape structure of the Tillabéry landscape (Sahel region) with reference to desertification

Mahamane Mansour
  • Mahamane Mansour
  • University of Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
  • Google Scholar
Volker Hochschild
  • Volker Hochschild
  • Geography Department, University of Tubingen, Germany
  • Google Scholar
Alfred Schultz
  • Alfred Schultz
  • Information Technology, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Germany.
  • Google Scholar
Jude NkuoKuma
  • Jude NkuoKuma
  • University of Giessen, Germany
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 17 November 2015
  •  Accepted: 25 February 2016
  •  Published: 31 May 2016

Abstract

This paper sought to investigate and monitor desertification processes in the Tillabéry landscape (Sahel). To achieve this aim, it employed a landscape metrics approach. The usefulness of landscape structure was investigated in the context of desertification. A set of indices was selected to investigate multi-temporal change in the Tillabéry landscape affected by desertification. The percentage of land indices showed a decrease in plateau vegetation. Water bodies increased between 1973 and 1989 but later recorded a 50% decrease. The indices further revealed an increase in bare soils. Shrubs increased between 1973 and 1989. This increase can be attributed to reforestation activities. The results further revealed that the Tillabéry landscape has a high number of patches and patch sizes are very small, indicating that the original landscape is increasingly being converted into bare areas and agricultural fields, thereby accentuating the issue of land degradation in the region.

 

Key words: Landscape metrics, desertification, remote sensing, Tillabéry landscape.