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- Title
Socio-Ecological Approach to a Forest-Swamp-Savannah Mosaic Landscape Using Remote Sensing and Local Knowledge: a Case Study in the Bas-Ogooué Ramsar Site, Gabon.
- Authors
Demichelis, Christophe; Oszwald, Johan; Mckey, Doyle; Essono, Paul-Yannick Bitome; Sounguet, Guy-Philippe; Braun, Jean-Jacques
- Abstract
Studies of landscape dynamics in protected areas often rely exclusively on remotely-sensed data, leading to bias by neglecting how local inhabitants, who often have a long history of interaction with their environment, perceive and structure the landscape over time. Using a socio-ecological system (SES) approach in a forest-swamp-savannah mosaic within the Bas-Ogooué Ramsar site in Gabon, we assess how human populations participate in landscape dynamics over time. We first conducted a remote sensing analysis to produce a land-cover map representing the biophysical dimension of the SES. This map is based on pixel-oriented classifications, using a 2017 Sentinel-2 satellite image and 610 GPS points, that categorized the landscape in 11 ecological classes. To study the landscape's social dimension, we collected data on local knowledge to understand how local people perceive and use the landscape. These data were collected through 19 semi-structured individual interviews, three focus groups and 3 months of participant observation during an immersive field mission. We developed a systemic approach by combining data on biophysical and social dimensions of the landscape. Our analysis shows that in the absence of continued anthropic interventions, both savannahs and swamps dominated by herbaceous vegetation will experience closure by encroaching woody vegetation, leading to eventual biodiversity loss. Our methodology based on an SES approach to landscapes could improve the conservation programs developed by Ramsar site managers. Designing actions at the local scale, rather than applying one set of actions to the entire protected area, allows the integration of human perceptions, practices and expectations, a challenge that is more than essential in the context of global change. Highlights: Integrates remote sensing and local knowledge, including perceptions and practices, to develop a socio-ecological approach to the landscape. Shows the advantages of using an approach based on local knowledge to map and study tropical wetlands and understand their dynamics. Uses comprehension of the links between land use and land cover to produce spatial information on a specific wetland that is difficult to monitor. Enables a better understanding of human-environment interactions and their associated ecosystem services within the Bas-Ogooué Ramsar site. Can contribute to integration of the perceptions and practices of local populations in the planning of conservation and development programs.
- Subjects
GABON; WETLANDS; REMOTE sensing; LOCAL knowledge; LANDSCAPES; REMOTE-sensing images; ENVIRONMENTAL history
- Publication
Environmental Management, 2023, Vol 72, Issue 6, p1241
- ISSN
0364-152X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00267-023-01827-8