Implications of Spatio-Temporal Land Use/Cover Changes for Ecosystem Services Supply in the Coastal Landscapes of Southwestern Ghana, West Africa

Land use/land cover change (LULCC) is an important driver of ecosystem changes in coastal areas. Despite being pervasive Ghana, LULCC has not been investigated to understand its effects on the potential for landscapes supply services (ES). In this study, impacts ES by Southwestern Ghana was assessed years 2008 and 2018 using remote sensing benefit transfer approaches. Based available data, relevant provisioning regulating were selected assessment while indicators aid quantification obtained from literature. Supervised classification methods maximum likelihood algorithms used prepare land (LULC) maps derived LULC categories assigned according descriptions Cover Classification System (LCCS). Potential (food, fuelwood) (carbon storage) quantified spatial temporal distributions these illustrated maps. The results show variations food fuelwood carbon storage potentials over study period across different locations landscape. Potentials mangrove forests indicated declining trends between 2018. On other hand, food-crop rubber plantations depicted increasing patterns same period. Population, slope elevation exhibited strong conversions crop whereas factors less determinants forest conversions. findings have implications identifying addressing tradeoffs uses agriculture, industrial development conservation critical within context rapid system transformations region.