Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia

Diriba Megersa Soboka; Mekin Mohammed

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15

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Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia

Diriba Megersa Soboka^*

, Mekin Mohammed

Published in American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 14, Issue 2)

Received: 22 March 2025 Accepted: 7 April 2025 Published: 28 April 2025

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Abstract

Land use conversion from various systems to agricultural land is progressing rapidly in Ethiopia. This research was carried out from 2021 to 2023 in the Dhumuga watershed located in West Shoa, Ethiopia, with the aim of identifying the trends in land use and land cover (LULC) changes, as well as examining their impact on forest resources, for intervention of restoration activities initiated by the Integrated Watershed Management Program at the Ambo Agricultural Research Center. An integrated geospatial strategy that utilizes remote sensing technologies, GIS analysis, and field validation was implemented to analyze the landscape alterations over the past four decades. Furthermore, Landsat imagery from 1980 (Landsat MSS), 2000 (Landsat TM), and 2021 (Landsat OLI/TIRS) were utilized for LULC classification, supplemented by ground-truth data collected during field surveys to ensure the accuracy of the classifications and to pinpoint significant land use categories. A supervised classification method employing maximum likelihood classification (MLC) was applied to the images to classify them into four LULC categories: cultivated land, grazing land, forest land, and settlements for the periods 1980–2000, 2000–2021, and 1980–2021. Descriptive statistics were utilized to evaluate both the field data and remotely sensed data. The dynamics of LULC changes in the Dhumuga watershed reveal significant agricultural expansion that is occurring at the expense of both grazing and forest lands. Cultivated land saw an increase of 138.97 ha (24.64%), while grazing and forest lands experienced declines of 100.79 ha (-17.87%) and 38.22 ha (-6.78%), respectively. This research assessed the patterns of LULC change and examined its effects on forest resources, aiming to inform future restoration programs in the watershed. The decrease in forest and grazing land uses indicates a heightened risk of soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and alterations in microclimatic conditions, which necessitate urgent multi-faceted restoration efforts and prudent management of watershed resources, particularly forests. In response to the findings and the accompanying recommendations, the Ambo Agricultural Research Center has initiated various restorations and livelihood.

Published in	American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 14, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15
Page(s)	78-85
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dhumuga-watershed, Forest Resource, Land Use Change, Land Use Land Cover

References

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[2]	Biratu, A. A., Bedadi, B., Gebrehiwot, S. G., Melesse, A. M., Nebi, T. H., Abera, W., Tamene, L. and Egeru, A., 2022. Impact of Landscape Management Scenarios on Ecosystem Service Values in Central Ethiopia. Land, 11(8), p. 1266.
[3]	Abdurahman, A., Yirsaw, E., Nigussie, W. and Hundera, K., 2023. Past and future land-use/land-cover change trends and its potential drivers in Koore’s agricultural landscape, Southern Ethiopia. Geocarto International, 38(1), p. 2229952.
[4]	Bekele, M., 2003. Forest property rights, the role of the state, and institutional exigency: the Ethiopian experience.
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[11]	Soboka, D. M. and Mohammed, M., 2024. Spatial Assessment of Soil Erosion Risk Using RUSLE and GIS in Dhumuga Watershed, Ambo, Ethiopia.
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[13]	Feda H. A., Suryabahagavan. K. V., and Balakrishnaneta M., (2018).; 2018. Assessment of Soil Erosion by Rusle Model Using Remote Sensing and Gis Techniques: A Case Study of Huluka Watershed, Central Ethiopia A Thesis Submitted to The School of Graduate Studies of Addis Ababa University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Science in Remote Sensing and Geo-informatics, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[14]	Soboka, D. M. and Dibaba, R., 2024. Socio-economic characterization, identification and prioritization of major constraints in Dhumuga learning watershed, Ambo, Ethiopia. Frontiers in Sustainable Resource Management, 3, p. 1484298.
[15]	Emeson, A. C., and F. J. P. M. Kwaad. "Gully types and gully prediction." Geografisch Tijdschrift 14, no. 5 (1980): 430-441).
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[17]	Rudel, T. K., et al. (2005). Forest transitions: Towards a global understanding of land use change. Global Environmental Change, 15 (1), 23-31.
[18]	Geist, H. J., & Lambin, E. F. (2002). Proximate causes and underlying driving forces of tropical deforestation. Bioscience, 52(2), 143-150.

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APA Style

Soboka, D. M., Mohammed, M. (2025). Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 14(2), 78-85. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15

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ACS Style

Soboka, D. M.; Mohammed, M. Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2025, 14(2), 78-85. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15

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AMA Style

Soboka DM, Mohammed M. Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia. Am J Environ Prot. 2025;14(2):78-85. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15

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@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15,
  author = {Diriba Megersa Soboka and Mekin Mohammed},
  title = {Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia
},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {78-85},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20251402.15},
  abstract = {Land use conversion from various systems to agricultural land is progressing rapidly in Ethiopia. This research was carried out from 2021 to 2023 in the Dhumuga watershed located in West Shoa, Ethiopia, with the aim of identifying the trends in land use and land cover (LULC) changes, as well as examining their impact on forest resources, for intervention of restoration activities initiated by the Integrated Watershed Management Program at the Ambo Agricultural Research Center. An integrated geospatial strategy that utilizes remote sensing technologies, GIS analysis, and field validation was implemented to analyze the landscape alterations over the past four decades. Furthermore, Landsat imagery from 1980 (Landsat MSS), 2000 (Landsat TM), and 2021 (Landsat OLI/TIRS) were utilized for LULC classification, supplemented by ground-truth data collected during field surveys to ensure the accuracy of the classifications and to pinpoint significant land use categories. A supervised classification method employing maximum likelihood classification (MLC) was applied to the images to classify them into four LULC categories: cultivated land, grazing land, forest land, and settlements for the periods 1980–2000, 2000–2021, and 1980–2021. Descriptive statistics were utilized to evaluate both the field data and remotely sensed data. The dynamics of LULC changes in the Dhumuga watershed reveal significant agricultural expansion that is occurring at the expense of both grazing and forest lands. Cultivated land saw an increase of 138.97 ha (24.64%), while grazing and forest lands experienced declines of 100.79 ha (-17.87%) and 38.22 ha (-6.78%), respectively. This research assessed the patterns of LULC change and examined its effects on forest resources, aiming to inform future restoration programs in the watershed. The decrease in forest and grazing land uses indicates a heightened risk of soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and alterations in microclimatic conditions, which necessitate urgent multi-faceted restoration efforts and prudent management of watershed resources, particularly forests. In response to the findings and the accompanying recommendations, the Ambo Agricultural Research Center has initiated various restorations and livelihood.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia

AU  - Diriba Megersa Soboka
AU  - Mekin Mohammed
Y1  - 2025/04/28
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 78
EP  - 85
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15
AB  - Land use conversion from various systems to agricultural land is progressing rapidly in Ethiopia. This research was carried out from 2021 to 2023 in the Dhumuga watershed located in West Shoa, Ethiopia, with the aim of identifying the trends in land use and land cover (LULC) changes, as well as examining their impact on forest resources, for intervention of restoration activities initiated by the Integrated Watershed Management Program at the Ambo Agricultural Research Center. An integrated geospatial strategy that utilizes remote sensing technologies, GIS analysis, and field validation was implemented to analyze the landscape alterations over the past four decades. Furthermore, Landsat imagery from 1980 (Landsat MSS), 2000 (Landsat TM), and 2021 (Landsat OLI/TIRS) were utilized for LULC classification, supplemented by ground-truth data collected during field surveys to ensure the accuracy of the classifications and to pinpoint significant land use categories. A supervised classification method employing maximum likelihood classification (MLC) was applied to the images to classify them into four LULC categories: cultivated land, grazing land, forest land, and settlements for the periods 1980–2000, 2000–2021, and 1980–2021. Descriptive statistics were utilized to evaluate both the field data and remotely sensed data. The dynamics of LULC changes in the Dhumuga watershed reveal significant agricultural expansion that is occurring at the expense of both grazing and forest lands. Cultivated land saw an increase of 138.97 ha (24.64%), while grazing and forest lands experienced declines of 100.79 ha (-17.87%) and 38.22 ha (-6.78%), respectively. This research assessed the patterns of LULC change and examined its effects on forest resources, aiming to inform future restoration programs in the watershed. The decrease in forest and grazing land uses indicates a heightened risk of soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and alterations in microclimatic conditions, which necessitate urgent multi-faceted restoration efforts and prudent management of watershed resources, particularly forests. In response to the findings and the accompanying recommendations, the Ambo Agricultural Research Center has initiated various restorations and livelihood.

VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Diriba Megersa Soboka

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, EIAR, Ambo Agricultural Research Center, Ambo, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-1069-2023
Mekin Mohammed

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Fogera National Rice Research and Training Center, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2370-4855

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Soboka, D. M., Mohammed, M. (2025). Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 14(2), 78-85. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15

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ACS Style

Soboka, D. M.; Mohammed, M. Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2025, 14(2), 78-85. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15

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AMA Style

Soboka DM, Mohammed M. Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia. Am J Environ Prot. 2025;14(2):78-85. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15,
  author = {Diriba Megersa Soboka and Mekin Mohammed},
  title = {Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia
},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {78-85},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20251402.15},
  abstract = {Land use conversion from various systems to agricultural land is progressing rapidly in Ethiopia. This research was carried out from 2021 to 2023 in the Dhumuga watershed located in West Shoa, Ethiopia, with the aim of identifying the trends in land use and land cover (LULC) changes, as well as examining their impact on forest resources, for intervention of restoration activities initiated by the Integrated Watershed Management Program at the Ambo Agricultural Research Center. An integrated geospatial strategy that utilizes remote sensing technologies, GIS analysis, and field validation was implemented to analyze the landscape alterations over the past four decades. Furthermore, Landsat imagery from 1980 (Landsat MSS), 2000 (Landsat TM), and 2021 (Landsat OLI/TIRS) were utilized for LULC classification, supplemented by ground-truth data collected during field surveys to ensure the accuracy of the classifications and to pinpoint significant land use categories. A supervised classification method employing maximum likelihood classification (MLC) was applied to the images to classify them into four LULC categories: cultivated land, grazing land, forest land, and settlements for the periods 1980–2000, 2000–2021, and 1980–2021. Descriptive statistics were utilized to evaluate both the field data and remotely sensed data. The dynamics of LULC changes in the Dhumuga watershed reveal significant agricultural expansion that is occurring at the expense of both grazing and forest lands. Cultivated land saw an increase of 138.97 ha (24.64%), while grazing and forest lands experienced declines of 100.79 ha (-17.87%) and 38.22 ha (-6.78%), respectively. This research assessed the patterns of LULC change and examined its effects on forest resources, aiming to inform future restoration programs in the watershed. The decrease in forest and grazing land uses indicates a heightened risk of soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and alterations in microclimatic conditions, which necessitate urgent multi-faceted restoration efforts and prudent management of watershed resources, particularly forests. In response to the findings and the accompanying recommendations, the Ambo Agricultural Research Center has initiated various restorations and livelihood.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics and Impact on Forest Resource at Dhumuga Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia

AU  - Diriba Megersa Soboka
AU  - Mekin Mohammed
Y1  - 2025/04/28
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 78
EP  - 85
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251402.15
AB  - Land use conversion from various systems to agricultural land is progressing rapidly in Ethiopia. This research was carried out from 2021 to 2023 in the Dhumuga watershed located in West Shoa, Ethiopia, with the aim of identifying the trends in land use and land cover (LULC) changes, as well as examining their impact on forest resources, for intervention of restoration activities initiated by the Integrated Watershed Management Program at the Ambo Agricultural Research Center. An integrated geospatial strategy that utilizes remote sensing technologies, GIS analysis, and field validation was implemented to analyze the landscape alterations over the past four decades. Furthermore, Landsat imagery from 1980 (Landsat MSS), 2000 (Landsat TM), and 2021 (Landsat OLI/TIRS) were utilized for LULC classification, supplemented by ground-truth data collected during field surveys to ensure the accuracy of the classifications and to pinpoint significant land use categories. A supervised classification method employing maximum likelihood classification (MLC) was applied to the images to classify them into four LULC categories: cultivated land, grazing land, forest land, and settlements for the periods 1980–2000, 2000–2021, and 1980–2021. Descriptive statistics were utilized to evaluate both the field data and remotely sensed data. The dynamics of LULC changes in the Dhumuga watershed reveal significant agricultural expansion that is occurring at the expense of both grazing and forest lands. Cultivated land saw an increase of 138.97 ha (24.64%), while grazing and forest lands experienced declines of 100.79 ha (-17.87%) and 38.22 ha (-6.78%), respectively. This research assessed the patterns of LULC change and examined its effects on forest resources, aiming to inform future restoration programs in the watershed. The decrease in forest and grazing land uses indicates a heightened risk of soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and alterations in microclimatic conditions, which necessitate urgent multi-faceted restoration efforts and prudent management of watershed resources, particularly forests. In response to the findings and the accompanying recommendations, the Ambo Agricultural Research Center has initiated various restorations and livelihood.

VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

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