Spatiotemporal dynamic of the Land Use Units (LUU) of the Goroubi Classified Forest (GCF) in north Benin

Abstract

The anthropogenic pressures of the Goroubi Classified Forest (GCF) have led to changes in its occupation units. This research aims to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of the different units of land use in this forest between 1999-2019. To achieve this, Landsat TM 1999, 2009 and Landsat OLI/Tirs 2019 satellite images were used. The diachronic analysis, the average annual rate of spatial evolution and the transition matrix made it possible to know the changes and the conversions undergone by the land cover types of the forest in association with the field controls. The classification reveals that between 1999 and 2009, out of the 05 occupation units, 04 experienced a regression (open forest and shrubby savannah, woody and shrubby savannah, swamps and waterbody). Swamps experienced the greatest regression, dropping from 252.056 ha in 1999 to 202.962 in 2009 with an average annual rate of expansion of -1.95%. On the other hand, the mosaics of farms and fallow land increased by 62.103 ha in their area, going from 123.731 ha in 1999 to 185.833 ha in 2009, that is a rate of +5.02%. In 2019, four (04) occupation units exist in the forest. Indeed, open forests and shrubby savannahs, and bodies of water have been completely converted into wooded and shrubby savannahs, and rice-growing areas. This last unit (rice-growing area) is a new unit that appeared in 2019; this indicates the strong anthropization of the forest. To control this strong anthropization, it is necessary to convert farmers to nursery activities, plantations maintenance, etc. and ensure compliance with the texts while defining a new land use policy for the GCF.