The paradox of the land use/land cover change in Kipengere ranges in southern highlands of Tanzania

Abstract

This article examines spatial dynamics in Land Use/Land Cover (LU/LC) change in Kipengere ranges in the southern highlands of Tanzania. Though humans have been modifying land to obtain food and other essentials for thousands of years, the current trends, extents, and intensities of land-use change are far greater than ever in history. The trends seem to be unique. The Geographical Information System (GIS) was employed to track land use/land cover from 1984 to 2014. Household surveys, in-depth interviews, field observations, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) supplemented the information generated by the geographical information system. The data were collected from 104 respondents. Through the geographical information system, six land use classes namely: agriculture with scattered settlements, bushlands, woodlands, grasslands, plantation forests, and native trees were identified. All land use/ land cover classes changed over time. Changes in land use were caused by out-migration, the decline in soil fertility, the absence of a land use plan, and campaigns for planting invasive tree species mainly pines and eucalyptus. The study, thus, recommends the introduction of a land- use plan in each village to enhance natural resource management and reduce conflicting land uses in a specific area.