Land Use Change Case Study
2.2 Causes of land use changes
Land use change is usually a result of many combined factors arising from different phases of organisation. The combined causes of land use change differ with time, space and environment(Lambin et al., 2003). There are direct causes of land use change which includes population growth, economic growth and initiation of policy, laws ad legislations (Morara et al., 2014).
2.2.1Population growth
Population growth has been the fundamental driver of land use change all over the world, especially in developing countries that prioritize economic development. Population growth was found as main cause of deforestation which is a land use change practiced worldwide. Meyer and Turner (1992) asserted that population growth …show more content…
Therefore, these significant ecosystem services will be altered when forests are transformed to urban development. Furthermore, the changes may have various effects on plants and animals in ecosystems. For example, conversions of forests to cultivation changes vegetation structure resulting in in poor reproduction in plants. As per Tasser and Tappeiner (2002), in European mountains changing terrestrial forest to agriculture and forestry resulted in changing vegetation structure and composition which reduces grazing land for wild animals. Wu (2008) noted that land use changes from forests to industrial activities are associated with multiple environmental impacts. Impacts include air pollution from the industrial burning chimneys and water contamination from industrial runoff during rainfall seasons. Nevertheless, this threatens the health, reproduction processes and biodiversity in the aquatic ecosystems all over the …show more content…
Stoate et al. (2009) asserted that intensive farming remain the major threat to soil, water and air conditions and reduces biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. The impacts also extend to nearby terrestrial and aquatic systems through water contamination and development of agricultural facilities such as dams. As a result, dam construction for agricultural purposes alters landscape patterns while contaminated water causes diseases to aquatic animals as well reducing species population. However, farmland provides open space and valuable habitat for many wildlife species. A study done by Wu (2008) revealed that conversions of wetlands to crop production resulted in extinction of many bird species which disturbs energy flow in food chains and food webs thus disturbing the entire
Land use change is usually a result of many combined factors arising from different phases of organisation. The combined causes of land use change differ with time, space and environment(Lambin et al., 2003). There are direct causes of land use change which includes population growth, economic growth and initiation of policy, laws ad legislations (Morara et al., 2014).
2.2.1Population growth
Population growth has been the fundamental driver of land use change all over the world, especially in developing countries that prioritize economic development. Population growth was found as main cause of deforestation which is a land use change practiced worldwide. Meyer and Turner (1992) asserted that population growth …show more content…
Therefore, these significant ecosystem services will be altered when forests are transformed to urban development. Furthermore, the changes may have various effects on plants and animals in ecosystems. For example, conversions of forests to cultivation changes vegetation structure resulting in in poor reproduction in plants. As per Tasser and Tappeiner (2002), in European mountains changing terrestrial forest to agriculture and forestry resulted in changing vegetation structure and composition which reduces grazing land for wild animals. Wu (2008) noted that land use changes from forests to industrial activities are associated with multiple environmental impacts. Impacts include air pollution from the industrial burning chimneys and water contamination from industrial runoff during rainfall seasons. Nevertheless, this threatens the health, reproduction processes and biodiversity in the aquatic ecosystems all over the …show more content…
Stoate et al. (2009) asserted that intensive farming remain the major threat to soil, water and air conditions and reduces biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. The impacts also extend to nearby terrestrial and aquatic systems through water contamination and development of agricultural facilities such as dams. As a result, dam construction for agricultural purposes alters landscape patterns while contaminated water causes diseases to aquatic animals as well reducing species population. However, farmland provides open space and valuable habitat for many wildlife species. A study done by Wu (2008) revealed that conversions of wetlands to crop production resulted in extinction of many bird species which disturbs energy flow in food chains and food webs thus disturbing the entire