land cover

To meet growing population demands for food and other agricultural commodities, agricultural land-use intensification and extensification seems to be increasing in the Abbay (Upper Blue Nile) basin in Ethiopia. However, the amount, location and degree of suitability of the basin for agriculture seem not well studied and/or documented.

The humid tropics are exposed to an unprecedented modernisation of agriculture involving rapid and mixed land-use changes with contrasted environmental impacts. Afforestation is often mentioned as an unambiguous solution for restoring ecosystem services and enhancing biodiversity.

The studies were conducted in the Rostov region I 2009-2014. The object of research is black southern chernozems (zonal soils) and alkali fine soils, which make up integrated soil cover with more than 35% alkali.

The prospect of GIS technology to create and to use of soil maps is stated. Conducted a GIS analysis of soil cover the territory of Cherven District showed the predominance of retisols of large areas isomorphic and asymmetrical shapes, three times less than the average area for podzols with isomorphic form. The most complicated form of areas marked for alluvial soil types.

Land cover objects are reflected in a set of georeferential data and are constantly changing. These changes can be accurately examined by computer and interactive information systems. One of the main advantages of computer information systems is the fact that their maps can be constantly improved and updated.

Land-use and land-cover changes are driving unprecedented changes in ecosystems and environmental processes at different scales. This study was aimed at identifying the potential land-use drivers in the Jedeb catchment of the Abbay basin by combining statistical analysis, field investigation and remote sensing.

Impact of dynamic land use and land cover changes on the livelihood of local communities and ecosystem services is a major concern. This is particularly evident in most dryland agricultural systems in South Asia.