Land Use/ Cover Change and Its Driving Forces in the Fandoghlo Region

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Roghayeh Jahdi
University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran
10.22034/wmji.2023.710722
Abstract
Analyzing changes in land use/cover and identifying their drivers is essential for developing sustainable land management approaches that restore ecosystem resources and services. This research analyzes land use/land cover changes in the Fandoghlo region in Ardabil province in the last two decades based on Landsat 8 (OLI/TIRS L1TP) satellite images and investigates governance and socio-economic drivers based on household surveys and key informants interviews. The results recorded a negative net change in forest (187.5 ha) and rangeland (662.5 ha) ecosystems and a positive net change in agriculture (587.1 ha) and man-made (267.6 ha). Analysis of the 20-year (2003-2023) change detection matrix showed that about 26% of the study area experienced a transition. Based on the results of the investigation of 11 governance and socio-economic drivers, the observed change in ecosystems caused by the expansion of agriculture (91%), poverty (71%), livestock pressure (68%), weak law enforcement (65%), wood smuggling (62%), increasing demand for firewood (60%), population growth (44%), fires (41%), incompatible forms of tourism (40%), distance to the road (36%), and mining (11%). These socio-economic drivers have a significant impact on the availability of ecosystem services, community welfare, biodiversity, and climate. Therefore, this study recommends coordinated efforts by stakeholders to develop participatory ecosystem management and public awareness on the coexistence of nature conservation and sustainable livelihoods. In order to protect ecosystems in this region, it is crucial to empower local communities, understand the dynamics of agricultural lands, and manage the causes and consequences of recent demographic changes.
Keywords
Ecosytem
Governance
Socio-economic
Sustainable management
Transfer Matrix
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