Scholarlink

<p>Changes in land use and their effects on ecosystem services have become a global concern due to their implications for ecological integrity and human well-being. This study evaluated the impact of forest cover change on ecosystem services in Gargeda State Forest, western Ethiopia, over the past 30 years. Satellite imagery data from 1993 to 2023 was analyzed with ArcGIS to assess landscape dynamics. Ecosystem service values (ESV) are subjected to the benefit transfer approach based on valuation coefficients and household survey to support community perceptions. The results revealed a substantial loss in forest cover (− 110,214&#xa0;ha) and water bodies (− 2064.87&#xa0;ha), alongside increases in agroforestry (16.85%), farmland (11.94%), and settlements (1.76%). Shrubland and grassland exhibited fluctuating trends. Total ecosystem service value declined by 44.08%, from $414.81&#xa0;million/ha/year in 1993 to $231.93&#xa0;million/ha/year in 2023. The significant reduction observed between 1993 and 2003 by $122.94&#xa0;million/ha/year). The estimated ecosystem functions, supporting services, showed the highest decline, by $90&#xa0;million/ha/year and regulating services fell by $45.18&#xa0;million/ha/year. Sensitivity analysis yielded coefficients below 1, confirming the reliability and robustness of the valuation approach. Local communities recognized the importance of remaining forest fragments, noting their provision of essential services such as food, raw materials, medicinal plants, and water supply. This major decline reflects the far-reaching impacts of land use changes over the past thirty years, indicating a reduced capacity of ecosystems to deliver vital services. Overall, the study highlights that the ongoing conversion of forest land into other uses threatens natural forests and contributes to declining environmental quality. These findings underline the need to incorporate ecosystem service values into land management policies to support sustainable development and conservation of forest across the region.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Evaluating forest cover change and its impact on ecosystem services in Gargeda state forest western Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月6日

查看全文
  • Zelalem Telila,
  • Abayineh Amare,
  • Teferi Tolera

摘要

Changes in land use and their effects on ecosystem services have become a global concern due to their implications for ecological integrity and human well-being. This study evaluated the impact of forest cover change on ecosystem services in Gargeda State Forest, western Ethiopia, over the past 30 years. Satellite imagery data from 1993 to 2023 was analyzed with ArcGIS to assess landscape dynamics. Ecosystem service values (ESV) are subjected to the benefit transfer approach based on valuation coefficients and household survey to support community perceptions. The results revealed a substantial loss in forest cover (− 110,214 ha) and water bodies (− 2064.87 ha), alongside increases in agroforestry (16.85%), farmland (11.94%), and settlements (1.76%). Shrubland and grassland exhibited fluctuating trends. Total ecosystem service value declined by 44.08%, from $414.81 million/ha/year in 1993 to $231.93 million/ha/year in 2023. The significant reduction observed between 1993 and 2003 by $122.94 million/ha/year). The estimated ecosystem functions, supporting services, showed the highest decline, by $90 million/ha/year and regulating services fell by $45.18 million/ha/year. Sensitivity analysis yielded coefficients below 1, confirming the reliability and robustness of the valuation approach. Local communities recognized the importance of remaining forest fragments, noting their provision of essential services such as food, raw materials, medicinal plants, and water supply. This major decline reflects the far-reaching impacts of land use changes over the past thirty years, indicating a reduced capacity of ecosystems to deliver vital services. Overall, the study highlights that the ongoing conversion of forest land into other uses threatens natural forests and contributes to declining environmental quality. These findings underline the need to incorporate ecosystem service values into land management policies to support sustainable development and conservation of forest across the region.