A novel participatory and remote-sensing-based approach to mapping annual land use change on forest frontiers in Laos, Myanmar, and Madagascar. Issue 1 (4th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zaehringer, Julie G.; Llopis, Jorge C.; Latthachack, Phokham; Thein, Tun Tun; Heinimann, Andreas
• Is Part Of: Journal of land use science. Volume 13:Issue 1/2(2018)
• Page Start: 16
• Page End: 31
• Publication Date: 2018-03-04
• Subjects: Participatory mapping -- remote sensing -- land use change -- land system regime shifts -- telecoupling; Land use -- Periodicals; 333.7313
• DOI: 10.1080/1747423X.2018.1447033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-423X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Tropical forests are under pressure from both commercial and smallholder agriculture. Forest frontiers are seeing dynamic land use changes that frequently lead to land system regime shifts, posing challenges for the sustainability of entire local social-ecological systems. Monitoring highly dynamic land use change and detecting land system regime shifts is methodologically challenging due to trade-offs between spatial and temporal data resolution. We propose an innovative approach that combines analysis of very-high-resolution satellite imagery with participatory mapping based on workshops and field walks. Applying it in Laos, Myanmar, and Madagascar, we were able to collect annual land use information over several decades. Unlike conventional land use change mapping approaches, which assess only few points in time, our approach provides information at a temporal resolution that enables detection of gradual and abrupt land system regime shifts.