| Popis: |
Green spaces such as forests, grasslands, and croplands are often characteristic of urban environments. Although they benefit human and animal well-being, they have become threatened due to rapid urban growth and unplanned development. In this study, we examined the dynamics of land use and land cover (LULC) change and fragmentation (especially, green spaces) within the second fastest urbanising city in Ghana, Tamale. In particular, we focused our analyses on its urban core (~ 5 km radius around the city centre) due to its relevance to urban economy and society. Landsat data from 1990, 2002, 2012, and 2022 were used to estimate fragmentation metrics of past and future LULC changes. We found clear patterns of green space decline and fragmentation within the urban core: i.e., green spaces became smaller over time and the pattern was expected to continue in the future (e.g., 1990 = 92.66 km2; 2022 = 59.78 km2; 2052 = 31.42 km2). Additionally, we found the built-up class benefited from the decline of green spaces. Our investigation suggests that protected forests and tree plantations contributed to a significant proportion of available green spaces in the urban core. However, these areas were increasingly becoming threatened by indiscriminate activities such as logging and encroachment by private developers. Hence, we emphasise the need for enforcement of existing legislations such as the 2002 Forest Protection (Amendment) and 2016 Land Use and Spatial Planning Acts which collectively seek to ensure the sustainability of forest and urban systems for the well-being of humans and the environment. |
