Spatio-Temporal impacts of land cover changes on Namanve wetland health and counter management strategies in Mukono District, Uganda

Abstract

The study examined the spatio-temporal impacts of land-lover changes on Namanve wetland health and counter management strategies in Mukono district. The objectives of the study were:- to characterise land cover changes in Namanve wetland from 1996 to 2016; to determine the effects of land cover changes on Namanve wetland health using the WET-Health assessment tool; and to assess the contributions of formal and informal institutional arrangements in managing land cover changes in the wetlands in Mukono district.

In the study, both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis were used based on a case study and longitudinal spatial analysis study design. Longitudinal spatial analysis with the help of GIS tools was used to generate data on the pattern of land cover changes in the Namanve wetland system for a period between 1996 and 2016. Other quantitative data was collected using household questionnaires and WET-Health assessment tools to assess the impact of the change in land cover patterns on the health of the wetland. Qualitative methods used include expert interviews, Focus group discussions, field observations and documentary reviews.

The results of the study confirm the long-held view of many Government and Research Agencies that wetland coverage has drastically deteriorated in the last 20 years from 15.6% % or 37,575km2 of the total land surface area in 1994 to 10.9% or 26,330 km2 in 2014 (Water & Environment SPR,2016). Namanve wetland is therefore not exceptional in experiencing degradation within the same time frame. The main drivers include unemployment, population growth and land shortage. Settlements, including factories and infrastructure, crop cultivation and brick making are the most dominant human activities with significant impact on wetland health measured in terms of vegetation, hydrology and geomorphology. The overall impact of the land cover change on the wetland health has been assigned level C representing a moderately modified Namanve wetland system. Inadequate enforcement of wetland laws and regulations and corruption were found to be the main reasons wetland related policies and strategies are not being implemented to conserve wetlands including Namanve wetland.

The recommendations of this study, therefore include :- a deliberate policy shift from the more powerful but inefficient central government approach to decentralized, participatory and empowered management of environment resources; comprehensive land use planning (both urban and rural) and zero tolerance to corruption at all levels. E-monitoring of sensitive ecosystems such as wetlands and forest reserves using the latest technologies like drones and GPS; enactment of wetland specific law and wealth creation will guarantee high-income levels per capita and drive the population to demand for an improvement in environmental quality in line with the Environmental Kuznerts Curve theory.