Modeling of chillimo protected forest cover dynamics using geospatial technologies: Dendi woreda, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia

Abstract

Forests Constitute One Of The World?�?S Most Valuable Natural Resources And Play A Key Role In? Global Ecological Balance. However, This Forest Was Currently Declining Due To Anthropogenic? Activities And Natural Factors. Due To The Forest Being Changed At An Alarming Rate, Wildlife? Faces Different Problems In This Area. Thus, The Aim Of This Study Was To Assessment Of Forest? Cover Change Of Chilimo And Make Future Predictions For Forest Change By Using Geospatial? Technology. Furthermore, A 17-Year Forecast Was Made Using QGIS To Suggest How The Forest? Might Change In The Future. The Study Used Two Spot Images From 2006, 2016 And A Sentinel-2A? Image From 2023 To Analyze Forest Change. These Satellite Images Revealed Four Major Land? Cover Classes: Dense Forest, Sparse Forest, Built-Up, And Farmland. Therefore, As A Result Of? Change Detection, Dense And Sparse Forests Were Decreased By 983.4ha And 166.5ha While,? Agricultural Land And Built-Up Area Where Increase From 1135.5 To 14.14ha From 2006 To 2023? Respectively. The Frequency Analyzed Driving Factors Of Forest Change Were Cultivated Land Expansion, Firewood Collection, Grazing, Population Growth And Charcoal Production. Because? Of These Factors, The Forest Was Degraded, And Some Problems Occurred In Study Area Like, Loss? Of Wild Life, Climate Change And Soil Erosion. As The Prediction Result Shows, Dense And Sparse? Forest Forests Were Decreased By 159.2ha And 214.5ha On Other Hand Farm Land And Built-Up? Where Increased By 375.4ha And 18.2ha From 2023 To 2040 Respectively. If This Trend? Continues, Great Impact On Climate Change, Soil Erosion And Loss Of Wild Life. Therefore, In? Order To Hold Back The Problem Of Forest Cover Change And Its Impact, Corrective Measures? Have Been Suggested That Can Be Implemented Both In The Short-Term And Long-Term Phases.