Assessing Woodland Change in Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains Using Landsat Thematic Mapper Mixed Approaches

Filemon Eliamini, Richard Mbatu () and M. Duane Nellis
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Filemon Eliamini: School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Richard Mbatu: School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
M. Duane Nellis: Department of Geography, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-21

Abstract: Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains, a hotspot for biodiversity, are seriously threatened by deforestation and the loss of woodland cover. The loss of woodland cover has been associated with decreased access and availability of woodfuel for nearby communities, which may have detrimental effects on household energy security and livelihoods. This study, which employs geospatial techniques, looks at woodland change in the Eastern Arc Mountains region between 2001 and 2020 to prioritize areas that need more sustainable land use practices. We employed a “mixed methods” remote sensing approach linked to Landsat thematic mapper data to assess woodland change. The results showed that the Same District experienced a considerable loss of woodland, making up 37.4% of the total area lost between 2001 and 2020. These results suggest that access to woodfuel may become more difficult for the residents of Same District.

Keywords: deforestation; woodland cover; land use land cover change; Eastern Arc Mountains; Tanzania (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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