Solomon Peter Gbanie
PhD Student
Telephone: +61 2 6268 8214
Fax:+61 2 6268 8017
Email: solomon.gbanie@student.adfa.edu.au
Location: Room 303/4 PEMS North
Field of Study - Geography
Supervisor: Dr Alec Thornton
Co-Supervisor: Dr Amy Griffin
Research Topic - Characterisation, mapping and space-time calibration of the changing land use/land cover pattern in Western Sierra Leone. A remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) approach
Empirical data on land use and land cover change dynamics is almost unavailable in Sierra Leone, a West African country that is in the process of recovering and rebuilding after a decade of civil war. This data is necessary to understand the exact nature and extent of the various land use/land cover changes for effective urban and rural planning for post-conflict development. The paucity of land use and land cover data is generally attributed to the conspicuous absence of capacity and resources in institutions (private and government alike) that would undertake and operationalise such systematic research. This scenario presents a disturbing picture for current and future land use, agro-ecological and resource planning and management and policy formulation. Given the tremendous challenges Sierra Leone faces, there is a critical need for research that will provide institutions (government, non-governmental organizations) with reliable data to inform effective and efficient policy and practice.
Characterizing, mapping and measuring the changing land use and land cover patterns in western Sierra Leone, using geo-spatial technologies (Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems) aims to provide much needed spatial data. This study intends, first, to demarcate the various land use and land cover types; secondly, to critically examine the changes that have occurred over time and ascertain the rate at which these changes may have occurred and their causes Thirdly, to identify the environmental impacts of land use change with respect to resource planning and, finally, to predict future land use changes using cellular automata and/or a land use / land cover change model. The outcome of this research will provided empirical spatial data for the study area and if properly utilized will contribute to the sustainable management of the natural resources of the Western Area of Sierra Leone.