FAO, the Provincial Ministry of Environment and the Faculty of Agronomy and Environmental Sciences of the Evangelical University in Africa (UEA) hosted training on participatory mapping of land use and land-use change from 19 to 21 August 2020 at the Ruhigita Campus in Bukavu. In total, 17 participants representing a range of institutions, such as the Catholic University of Bukavu (UCB), the Ministry of Environment and two Chiefdoms of Ngweshe and Kabara, took part in the training exercise.

Through this training, participants strengthened their capacities in:

• production and processing of spatial data;

• online monitoring of vegetation and land use;

• planning and implementation of field surveys for participatory mapping;

• the use of digital tools and platforms, such as geographic information systems (GIS) and land-monitoring tools, to acquire and analyse high-resolution satellite imagery;

• preliminary analysis of different land uses in the target Chiefdoms of Ngweshe and Kabare.

During the training, a mapathon exercise brought together a group of participants and trainers to analyse satellite imagery and complete surveys on biophysical aspects of the target landscape using digital technologies. The power of a mapathon lies in collective activities involving participants from a wide range of backgrounds, including national and local stakeholders familiar with the landscape to be assessed. GIS software and the FAO tool Collect Earth, a free and open-source land monitoring tool, were both used to collect spatial data and perform the visual analysis.

During the first part of the training, participants were introduced to GIS software to create a training database of sampling points for the different land-use classifications in the two Chiefdoms. This also enabled participants to become more conversant with the analysis of satellite imagery.

A field visit was then organized for ground-truthing purposes. This enables satellite interpretation results to be compared with direct observations on the ground, a step that is particularly important in a mosaic landscape with different land uses, such as South Kivu.

Based on this, an online survey protocol was established with the following different land-use classifications: primary forest, secondary forest, forested savannah, grassland, swamp, agricultural fields, bare soil and settlements.

During the third day, participants were introduced to the Collect Earth tool to collect data via survey questions for a series of sample plots. Collect Earth can provide valuable statistics about the land-use and land-cover properties of the surveyed landscape, such as plot, rainfall and bushfire history. Analyses can be performed for multiple time points to assess changes in the biophysical properties of the affected landscape.

The training set the stage for the development of a monitoring and evaluation strategy by the provincial coordination to ensure FLR interventions are planned and monitored in an effective and participatory way, using the best science and technology available. A larger mapathon exercise will need to be undertaken with a wide variety of local stakeholders. This exercise will be useful for developing current data so that local and provincial authorities can use the information as a basis for planning FLR interventions.

For example, this exercise could help assess the potential for carbon sequestration and attract investments for FLR in the province. This training was intended as a prelude to the establishment of an independent observatory to monitor the progress of forest and landscape restoration in South Kivu, which will be housed by the UEA.

For more information contact us at: [email protected].

Nelly Bourlion (FAO)