Land Cover Change Detection and Subsistence Farming Dynamics in the Fringes of Mount Elgon National Park, Uganda from 1978–2020

Analyzing the dominant forms and extent of land cover changes in Mount Elgon region is important for tracking conservation efforts sustainable management. Elgon’s rugged terrain limits monitoring these over large areas. This study used multitemporal satellite imagery to analyze quantify upper Manafwa watershed Elgon, 42 years covering an area 320 km2. The employed remote sensing techniques, geographic information systems, software map four decades (1978, 1988, 2001, 2010, 2020). maximum likelihood classifier post-classification comparison technique were classification change detection analysis. results showed a positive percentage (gain) planted forest (3966%), built-up (890%), agriculture (186%), tropical high low-stocked (119%) negative (loss) shrubs (−81%), bushland (−68%), well-stocked (−50%), grassland (−44%), bare sparsely vegetated surfaces (−14%) period 1978–2020. observed concentrated mainly at peripheries National Park. increase population rising demand agricultural major driving factors. However, regreening as restoration effort has led forests, attributed improvement conservation-related activities jointly implemented by concerned stakeholders native communities. These findings revealed spatial temporal watershed. could enhance when coupled with studies on associated drivers use very-high-resolution areas where encroachment visible park.