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Article

Open Access

Relationship between Land Cover Changes with Water Quantity in Lake Victoria—A Case Study of Mara River Basin in Tanzania

Author(s)

Martine Hagai

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DOI:10.17265/2162-5263/2018.01.004

Affiliation(s)

School of Earth Sciences, Real Estate, Business and Informatics, Department of Geospatial Sciences and Technology, Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam 35176, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

LV (Lake Victoria) is valuable to the East African sub region and Africa in general, sources of water for LV are from its catchment areas and tributaries e.g. Kagera and Mara Rivers on Tanzania part. Apparently, catchment areas in proximities of LV and on MR (Mara River), indeed on MRB (Mara River Basin) in particular, are experiencing increased anthropogenic activities such as mining, fishing, settlements, agriculture etc., which lead to increased water usage, land degradation and environmental pollution. Such activities threaten the sustainability of the environment surrounding MRB and impliedly LV and its ecosystem. The level of water in LV is reported to be declining threatening its extinction. This paper is reporting on a study undertaken to establish the relationship between land cover changes with ground water discharge from specifically MRB into LV over the period of 24 years, i.e. 1986 to 2010. Methodology used is assessment of vegetation changes by using remote sensing through analysis of TM (Thematic Mapper) Landsat Images of 1986, 1994, 2002 and 2010 ETM (Enhanced Thematic Mapper) Landsat images, from which respective land cover change maps were generated and compared with ground water levels from MRB. Results indicates that there is a significant decline of land cover and ground water flowing into LV from MRB, and that there is positive correlation between land cover changes and the quantity of ground water flowing from MRB to LV. This phenomenon is common to all tributaries of LV, thus leading to decline of water in LV. It is recommended that relevant government institutions should endeavor formulating policies to control excessive use of wetlands and drylands in the proximity of LV and MRB in particular, such that the flow of water to LV may be sustained.

KEYWORDS

Land Cover Changes, Ground Water, Remote Sensing, LV (Lake Victoria), MRB (Mara River Basin)

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