Remote sensing and GIS applications for assessing urban expansion effects on protected areas in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Urban Sprawl in Sub-Saharan Africa presents growing risks to biodiversity and protected areas. Over recent years, there has been a notable increase in population within urban areas across the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This demographic shift has precipitated urban sprawl, thereby escalating the demand for land. Urban sprawl facilitates the emergence of informal settlements, which are characterized by development that does not comply with urban planning policies, zoning regulations, and other pertinent legal frameworks. Urban sprawl poses a threat to the integrity of protected areas by altering ecosystems through disturbances caused by human presence and activities. It presents significant challenges for conservation efforts, notably through habitat and biodiversity loss, pollution, and the presence of weak regulatory frameworks. In addition, its ecological impacts on nature reserves are often unrecognized by the public due to a lack of awareness. It is important to study and map urban sprawl patterns over time using remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies to support evidence-based solutions for addressing urban sprawl in SSA while promoting a balance between urban development and environmental conservation. Despite the demonstrated utility of RS/GIS technologies, their application remains an even across the region. This systematic review synthesizes empirical research applying RS/GIS to evaluate the impact of an expansion on biodiversity within SSA’s protected landscapes. The findings revealed consistent reliance on medium resolution satellite imagery and supervised classification techniques to detect patterns of encroachment, green space reduction and habitat degradation. The review furthermore underscores the importance of implementing environmental education programs targeted at urban and peri-urban communities to encourage participatory approaches that involve community members in the management of nature reserves, including local stewardship programs, co-management initiatives, and educational outreach programs, as the management of nature reserves encompasses not only spatial planning issues but also broader policy challenges.