Impacts of Land Use Land Cover Change on Land Degradation: Case of the Greater Sekhukhune District

Abstract

Interaction between biophysical variables and socioeconomic conditions are far more complex and affect land cover and quality. These are aggravated by global climate change and climate variability in semi-arid regions. Therefore, the study investigates impacts of land use and land cover changes (LULCC) on land degradation (LD) and further investigates the rates and predictors of habitat conversion in the semi-arid Sekhukhune district, South Africa. The study uses remote sensing by providing long-term spatio-temporal information to assess LULC and LD between 1990 to 2019 over a five-year interval. LULCC impacts on LD is analysed using change detection i.e., NDVI change, LULC conversion and key informant interviews (natural resource managers, crop and animal production, extension officers).