Piosphere Syndrome and Rangeland Degradation in Karamoja Sub-region, Uganda

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dc.contributor.authorEgeru, Anthony
dc.contributor.authorBarasa, Bernard
dc.contributor.authorMakuma-Massa, Henry
dc.contributor.authorNampala, Paul
dc.date.accessioned2022-10-18T08:56:07Z
dc.date.available2022-10-18T08:56:07Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractUganda like most African countries is a vast mosaic of diverse and contrasting landscapes. Much of the country is characterized by an equatorial vegetation but with significant dryland areas mostly pronounced in northeastern sub-region of Karamoja. In this sub-region, the pastoral and agro-pastoral population is dependent artificial waterholes. In the locale of these waterholes, the livestock generate areas of altered soils and vegetation known as piospheres. However, since the introduction of these artificial waterholes, limited research has been undertaken to investigate their impact on rangeland degradation in the sub-region. In this study, soil chemical and physical properties were sampled at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depth, herbaceous and woody species were assessed and a series (1986, 2000, 2013 and 2015) of Landsat imagery were utilized. Standard laboratory procedures were utilized to analyze soil samples while herbaceous and woody species were summarized based on relative abundance. Dark Object Subtraction 1 atmospheric correction method was performed on all the imagery prior to classification. The Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) was used to determine vegetation sensitivity to rangeland degradation. The extent of rangeland degradation from the waterholes was assessed by proximity analysis basing on distance intervals (0.1 km-15 km) from the waterhole. A high soil pH was observed closer to the waterholes, while nitrogen and phosphorus were lower. There was variation in abundance of herbaceous and woody species between the wet and dry seasons with a predominance of perennial hardy herbaceous species closer to the waterholes. Results also revealed that a pronounced inflection point has become established around the piospheres and is expanding outward to 1.5-2 km distance from the piosphere centre; indicating a development of clearer degradation pattern. The piospheric gradient (up to 15 km) has demonstrated pronounced landscape heterogeneity with the existence of potential interaction area between 6.5 and 9 km an area we have called a convergence zone of new higher impact. It is therefore imperative that strategic management of the waterholes is undertaken to stay the inflection zone from further expanding outward. This information generated is relevant to range and water managers in separating the impacts of localized degradation from landscape based rangeland health in Karamoja sub-region.en_US
dc.identifier.citationEgeru, A., Barasa, B., Makuma-Massa, H., & Nampala, P. (2015). Piosphere syndrome and rangeland degradation in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. Resources and Environment , 5 (3), 73-89. DOI: 10.5923/j.re.20150503.01en_US
dc.identifier.other10.5923/j.re.20150503.01
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/4933
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherResources and Environmenten_US
dc.subjectLandscapeen_US
dc.subjectHeterogeneityen_US
dc.subjectPastoralen_US
dc.subjectSAVI Karamoja-Ugandaen_US
dc.titlePiosphere Syndrome and Rangeland Degradation in Karamoja Sub-region, Ugandaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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