Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Integrating Remote sensing and GIS for mapping community rangelands Lucy Waruingi African Conservation Centre KENYA

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Objectives of Study Objective 1: Integrating remote sensing and GIS to analyse the land cover/land-use on community rangelands Objective 2: Determining areas of biological importance with regard to wildlife in community rangelands Objective 3: Selecting areas suitable/viable for monitoring by community game scouts

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Community rangelands Dry lands make up 40% of the earth’s land mass and support nearly 2 billion people (White et al., 2002). Well endowed with flora and fauna and scenic landscapes with major tourism potential In Kenya they are set up as group ranches, members share the natural resources Maasai have long history of co-existence Occupation mainly pastoralism or mixed farming

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Threats to rangelands Population growth Sedenarisation Land subdivision Habitat fragmentation Conflicting land uses Human-wildlife conflict Competition for resources Drought Climate change

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Mapping of rangelands Collection and compilation of biological data and mapping of resources has been the preserve of scientists In Kenya remote sensing research has been generally focused on land cover changes and habitat distribution in and around national parks (Serneels et al. 2001; Oindo et al. 2003). Involvement of the local people in collecting and mapping information of their own rangelands is critical for sustainable use of their resources Use of landsat imagery, various GIS techniques, with other biological data provides a framework for mapping of community rangelands

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Why use maps? Maps provide a common language for communities to participate in managing of their lands

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Landsat ETM – 2001 False color

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Classified Landsat ETM+ land cover/use

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi GIS analysis of Wildlife Resources Wildlife census on 5*5 km grid (30 years of data) analysed for wet and dry seasons –Use remote sensing to get a snapshot of landscape (landcover/landuse) –Use GIS to summarise historical ecological and biological data –Train scouts on basic ecology, human-wildlife conflict, tourism, map reading, use of GPS and environmental management

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Landcover * Wildlife distribution (WET)

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Landcover * Wildlife distribution (DRY)

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Scientists - Scouts Conventional mapping of resources: – field biologists to collect data regularly for years –Special equipment –Set of tools and methods Community scouts - Unschooled & unskilled - No equipment / tools - Foot/bicycle patrols + Knowledge of their landscape + Have co-existed with for decades with nature

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Engaging the local people Modified monitoring sheets translated to local languages –Use remote sensing to get a snapshot of landscape (landcover/landuse) –Use GIS to summarise historical ecological and biological data –Train scouts on basic ecology, human-wildlife conflict, tourism, map reading, use of GPS and environmental management

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Simplified monitoring sheets WEEKLY [2] [2] Early Shoots=Empilili ; Short Green=Olari Ngejuk ; Long Green=Olari Olperesso ; Long Brown=Ameyu ; Short Brown = Ameyu

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Community Scouts - Transects Viewshed analysis

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Community Scouts Network Scouts Radio Network in Amboseli On predetermined walking transects Selected habitats from classified image Use of DEM and visibility to determine suitable sampling areas for each habitat

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Crop damage, Human death, injury, property damage

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Tourism (facilities and activities) Livestock (grazing patterns) Security (communication, patrols) Agriculture Infrastructure Marketing Conservation area Settlements Map A Map B Joint management plan

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Achievements Monitoring over the last 2 years has enhanced understanding of the area and resource use and conflict Information of wildlife numbers, habitat conditions, impact of drought and poached species available Joint participatory landuse zoning brings ownership to the agreed on landuse plans Joint security operations and anti-poaching patrols Environmental protection – charcoal burning

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi More achievements…. Engaging in eco-tourism enterprises Setting aside of conservation areas

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Challenges Current satellite imagery quite costly, this study used data of 2000, 2001 Technical expertise is required in interpretation of images Establishing consistent classes for landcover interpretation

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Conclusion GIS and Remote sensing can be used as tools to enhance the monitoring & mapping community rangelands Maps provide a framework for integration of local spatial knowledge and provides a common language Local communities can learn adapted data collection methodologies for management and use of their environment and natural resources.

Remote sensing & Environmental Change workshop June, 2007 Nairobi Asante Sana!