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A triangulation approach for assessing and mapping land degradation in the Lepellane catchment of the greater Sekhukhune District, South Africa

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dc.contributor.author Nzuza, P
dc.contributor.author Ramoelo, Abel
dc.contributor.author Odindi, J
dc.contributor.author Mwenge Kahinda, Jean-Marc
dc.contributor.author Lindeque, L
dc.date.accessioned 2022-04-19T10:06:09Z
dc.date.available 2022-04-19T10:06:09Z
dc.date.issued 2021-11
dc.identifier.citation Nzuza, P., Ramoelo, A., Odindi, J., Mwenge Kahinda, J. & Lindeque, L. 2021. A triangulation approach for assessing and mapping land degradation in the Lepellane catchment of the greater Sekhukhune District, South Africa. <i>South African Geographical Journal.</i> http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12372 en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn 0373-6245
dc.identifier.issn 2151-2418
dc.identifier.uri https://doi.org/10.1080/03736245.2021.2000481
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12372
dc.description.abstract Land degradation is a complex environmental problem that requires robust decision-making processes that embrace diversity of local indigenous knowledge. Participatory approaches are essential in capturing the complexity in land degradation processes while overcoming limitations presented by scientific methods that disregard socio-economic factors. Hence, the triangulation approach can be used to combine participatory expert maps with satellite imagery by overlaying both maps to enhance understanding of land degradation. This study incorporated social and physical factors that cause land degradation through an expert assessment. This was achieved through a participatory expert mapping exercise using the World Overview Conservation Approaches and Technology (WOCAT) mapping questionnaire and remote sensing techniques to map land degradation severity that was integrated by overlaying, i.e. triangulation approach. The WOCAT results were validated using field observations and discussions on land covers. Climatic variability, improper soil management and unsustainable land-use practices were identified as leading causes of land degradation while soil erosion and loss of vegetation cover were the perceived prominent types of land degradation. The land degradation severity modelling assessment achieved an accuracy of R2 0.86, RMSE 7.72 and relRMSE 12.94% in estimating bare soil cover, which was used as an indicator of potential land degradation severity. Variables such as leaf area index (LAI) and soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) were essential in determining degraded landscapes. The severity maps indicated that low-lying areas are moderately degraded due to overgrazing. The study concluded that a triangulation approach provides a better understanding of land degradation. en_US
dc.format Abstract en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.relation.uri https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03736245.2021.2000481 en_US
dc.source South African Geographical Journal en_US
dc.subject Land degradation en_US
dc.subject Remote sensing en_US
dc.subject Participatory approaches en_US
dc.subject Sustainable land management en_US
dc.subject World Overview Conservation Approaches and Technology en_US
dc.subject WOCAT en_US
dc.title A triangulation approach for assessing and mapping land degradation in the Lepellane catchment of the greater Sekhukhune District, South Africa en_US
dc.type Article en_US
dc.description.pages 25 en_US
dc.description.note © 2021 The Society of South African Geographers. Due to copyright restrictions, the attached PDF file only contains the abstract of the full text item. For access to the full text item, please consult the publisher's website: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03736245.2021.2000481 en_US
dc.description.cluster Smart Places en_US
dc.description.impactarea Hydrosciences en_US
dc.identifier.apacitation Nzuza, P., Ramoelo, A., Odindi, J., Mwenge Kahinda, J., & Lindeque, L. (2021). A triangulation approach for assessing and mapping land degradation in the Lepellane catchment of the greater Sekhukhune District, South Africa. <i>South African Geographical Journal</i>, http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12372 en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitation Nzuza, P, A Ramoelo, J Odindi, Jean-Marc Mwenge Kahinda, and L Lindeque "A triangulation approach for assessing and mapping land degradation in the Lepellane catchment of the greater Sekhukhune District, South Africa." <i>South African Geographical Journal</i> (2021) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12372 en_ZA
dc.identifier.vancouvercitation Nzuza P, Ramoelo A, Odindi J, Mwenge Kahinda J, Lindeque L. A triangulation approach for assessing and mapping land degradation in the Lepellane catchment of the greater Sekhukhune District, South Africa. South African Geographical Journal. 2021; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12372. en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Article AU - Nzuza, P AU - Ramoelo, A AU - Odindi, J AU - Mwenge Kahinda, Jean-Marc AU - Lindeque, L AB - Land degradation is a complex environmental problem that requires robust decision-making processes that embrace diversity of local indigenous knowledge. Participatory approaches are essential in capturing the complexity in land degradation processes while overcoming limitations presented by scientific methods that disregard socio-economic factors. Hence, the triangulation approach can be used to combine participatory expert maps with satellite imagery by overlaying both maps to enhance understanding of land degradation. This study incorporated social and physical factors that cause land degradation through an expert assessment. This was achieved through a participatory expert mapping exercise using the World Overview Conservation Approaches and Technology (WOCAT) mapping questionnaire and remote sensing techniques to map land degradation severity that was integrated by overlaying, i.e. triangulation approach. The WOCAT results were validated using field observations and discussions on land covers. Climatic variability, improper soil management and unsustainable land-use practices were identified as leading causes of land degradation while soil erosion and loss of vegetation cover were the perceived prominent types of land degradation. The land degradation severity modelling assessment achieved an accuracy of R2 0.86, RMSE 7.72 and relRMSE 12.94% in estimating bare soil cover, which was used as an indicator of potential land degradation severity. Variables such as leaf area index (LAI) and soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) were essential in determining degraded landscapes. The severity maps indicated that low-lying areas are moderately degraded due to overgrazing. The study concluded that a triangulation approach provides a better understanding of land degradation. DA - 2021-11 DB - ResearchSpace DP - CSIR J1 - South African Geographical Journal KW - Land degradation KW - Remote sensing KW - Participatory approaches KW - Sustainable land management KW - World Overview Conservation Approaches and Technology KW - WOCAT LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2021 SM - 0373-6245 SM - 2151-2418 T1 - A triangulation approach for assessing and mapping land degradation in the Lepellane catchment of the greater Sekhukhune District, South Africa TI - A triangulation approach for assessing and mapping land degradation in the Lepellane catchment of the greater Sekhukhune District, South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/12372 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.worklist 25445 en_US


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