Landscape Changes and Fragmentation Analysis in a Guinea Savannah Ecosystem: Case study of Talensi and Nabdam Districts of the Upper East region, Ghana

Abstract

Landcover change is an observed natural change dynamics at both the local and regional levels. However, its scales are exacerbated by human interaction with its natural environment. The study examines these spatio-temporal changes in landcover and the level to which the change is accompanied by fragmentation of the identifiable cover types in the Talensi and Nabdam districts in Northern Ghana. The research uses digital classification of Landsat satellite imagery for 1999 and 2007 to produce the cover types which results in good accuracy levels of 66.39% and 63.03% respectively. Fragmentation analysis of the landscape was computed using FRAGSTATS® software for categorical maps obtained from the classified landcover maps for the two years. All cover types increased marginally. However, Bare areas decreased by as much as 17.17% and that of water decreased from 3% to 1%. The changing landscape involving conversions within and among various cover types is accompanied by fragmentation in all classes but more pronounced in the Bare class. The Bare class type which has more patches corresponds to the class with increased cover size and rather strangely decreases in the mean path size.

Healthcare waste management in the Tamale Central Hospital, northern Ghana. An assessment before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana

“…A multi-method research approach was adopted in this study. This entailed the integration of qualitative and quantitative research methods since no single method can completely capture the relevant areas of the study ( Ampofo et al., 2016 ; Bryman, 2016 ). In this study, qualitative data collection tools such as observation and interviews were employed while measurement (quantities) of solid healthcare waste was the quantitative tool used.…”

Solid Waste Management Challenges in Urban Areas of Ghana: A Case Study of Bawku Municipality

“…Previous studies have reported these methods of waste transportation in other towns and cities in Ghana [16] [37] and other developing countries [5]. , contaminate ground and surface water [38], release greenhouse gases and other air pollutants [20], damage ecosystems, and discourage tourism and other businesses [39].…”

“…The other factors that militate against efficient solid waste management are poor financing capacity of local authorities, low technical capacity for planning and management of solid waste [16], weak enforcement of environmental regulations [12]. In view of this background information on the country, it appears that the development of an in-depth database on solid waste management situations in each district, municipal and metropolitan assembly in Ghana will help formulate and implement effective solid waste management policy in the country.…”

Land Cover and Landscape Structural Changes Using Extreme Gradient Boosting Random Forest and Fragmentation Analysis

“…Numerous studies have highlighted edaphic, topographic, climatic, and anthropogenic factors, among many other causal factors [33]. These studies have recommended that information associated with factors, such as habitat extent, landscape configuration, and habitat configuration regarding different plant species, must be collected timeously [26,[39][40][41][42]. This information allows the ongoing generation of LULCC maps and habitat maps essential for continuously monitoring landscape changes of national and international conservation significance [25].…”