Wetlands Ecosystem Management in Ghana

Questions and Answers

What percentage of the increase in urban population is expected to occur in Africa and Asia?

90% (correct)

60%

70%

80%

Which of the following activities dominated the wetland at the Densu Delta Ramsar Site in the early 2000s?

Residential development and industrialization

Fishing and tourism

Forestry and mining

Vegetable farming and livestock rearing (correct)

What is the primary process driving changes in land use at the Densu Delta Ramsar Site?

Urbanization (correct)

Natural disasters

Agricultural intensification

Climate change

Which of the following statements about the land transformation at the Sakumo II Ramsar Site is true?

It is intensively driven by urbanization. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant threat to the wetland mentioned in the content?

Built-up expansion Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of the conversion of wetlands to impervious surfaces?

Negative impacts on biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between urbanization and land transformation at the Densu Delta Ramsar Site?

Urbanization is the main driver of land transformation. Signup and view all the answers

In which regions is urban population increase expected to be close to 90%?

Africa and Asia Signup and view all the answers

What does the interval level of Intensity Analysis primarily assess?

The overall change in each time interval. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ramser sites had a distinct classification scheme unlike the others?

Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Site Signup and view all the answers

What was the overall annual land use and land cover change for Sakumo II in the first time interval?

1.47% Signup and view all the answers

Which method was employed to assess LULC change patterns in coastal urban wetlands?

Intensity Analysis Signup and view all the answers

How is a 'fast' annual change defined in this study?

When the annual change exceeds the uniform change. Signup and view all the answers

What type of imagery and data were used to classify the satellite images?

Topographic maps and Google Earth images. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following wetlands was part of the study conducted on LULC change in Ghana?

Densu Delta Signup and view all the answers

What type of LULC categories were observed to grow at the expense of natural categories?

Human-induced categories Signup and view all the answers

What does the category level of Intensity Analysis evaluate?

The variations in intensity of change among LULC categories. Signup and view all the answers

Which LULC class was included in the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Site classification?

Burnt land. Signup and view all the answers

During which years was the LULC change pattern assessed in the study?

1985–2017 Signup and view all the answers

What was the observed annual change for Muni-Pomadze in the second time interval?

2.91% Signup and view all the answers

In the context of this study, what is the significance of using GPS coordinates?

As reference data for classifying satellite images. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is identified as driving wetland landscape transformation?

Global environmental change Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary criteria for determining whether a change in land use is considered 'slow'?

It is smaller than the uniform change. Signup and view all the answers

What was the overall annual change for Densu Delta in the second time interval?

2.60% Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the inadequate resolution of satellite images used in the study?

The resolution of 30 m was insufficient for separating land use categories. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly reflects the status of wetland conservation efforts in Ghana?

Efforts have been insufficient to prevent wetland loss due to urbanization. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of land use/land cover categories, which type had the largest area in 2017 according to the study?

Human-induced categories Signup and view all the answers

Why were many Landsat satellite images deemed unsuitable for the study?

They did not meet the predetermined quality criteria. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the rapid replacement of vegetated surfaces with impervious surfaces?

Negative consequences of anthropogenic activities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT identified as a contributing factor to the changes in land use/land cover categories?

Natural environmental changes Signup and view all the answers

What effect did unequal time intervals have according to the study?

They were shown to have no effect on Intensity Analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What was the timeframe studied in relation to land use/land cover transitions in the Densu Delta and Sakumo II Ramsar Sites?

2002–2017 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the increase in built-up/bareland in coastal urban wetlands?

Reclamation of wetlands for physical development Signup and view all the answers

What may account for some of the apparent transition from water to built-up/bareland?

Data error from image classification Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an intervention to protect coastal urban wetlands?

Reforestation projects Signup and view all the answers

During which time interval did the land transformation pattern shift significantly?

2002–2017 Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation mentioned regarding land use and land cover (LULC) classification?

Built-up and bareland were classified together Signup and view all the answers

Which of these does NOT represent a factor contributing to the increasing demand for coastal urban lands?

Environmental conservation Signup and view all the answers

What is crucial for the effective implementation of protections for coastal urban wetlands?

Deliberate and concerted efforts by relevant agencies Signup and view all the answers

Which time interval is indicated to show intensity analysis for the wetlands?

1985–2002 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Wetland Transformation in Ghana

Coastal urban wetlands in Ghana are critical ecosystems undergoing significant land use and land cover (LULC) changes due to urbanization.
Key wetlands studied include the Densu Delta, Sakumo II, and Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Sites for the years 1985-2017.
Overall annual changes observed:
- Densu Delta: 2.42% (1985-2002), 2.60% (2002-2017)
- Sakumo II: 1.47% (1985-2002), 3.55% (2002-2017)
- Muni-Pomadze: 2.65% (1985-2002), 2.91% (2002-2017)

Methodology

Intensity Analysis employed to assess patterns of LULC changes, conducted at interval, category, and transition levels.
Wetland boundaries digitized from topographic maps; satellite images classified using GPS data.
Densu Delta and Sakumo II categorized into four LULC classes: marsh, thicket, water, and built-up/bareland; Muni-Pomadze classified into six categories including dense forest and cultivated land.

Driving Factors of Change

Rapid urbanization identified as the main driver of LULC change, with implications for biodiversity loss.
Natural categories are being replaced by human-induced developments such as residential and commercial infrastructure.
Increased conflict over land use indicates a pressing need for coordinated wetland conservation efforts to balance development and ecological integrity.

Findings and Implications

Built-up/bareland gains largely attributed to wetland reclamation for physical development in the first time interval.
Transition level analysis reveals increasing conversion of wetlands to impervious surfaces, negatively impacting ecosystem functions.
Agricultural activities, such as vegetable farming and livestock rearing, contribute to changes in wetland dynamics, complicating preservation efforts.

Study Limitations

Some LULC categories, such as built-up and bareland, merged for analysis due to limitations in satellite image resolution (30 m).
High-resolution images were intermittently available, preventing comprehensive assessment across all years studied.
Unequal time intervals in data collection were noted but did not detrimentally affect the integrity of the Intensity Analysis.

Recommendations

Specific interventions required to protect Ghana's coastal urban wetlands from destructive urban expansion.
Urgent calls for innovative land-use management strategies to maximize limited urban space while preserving wetland ecosystems.
Strengthened enforcement of laws and regulations aimed at wetland conservation is crucial for mitigating urban encroachment.

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Description

Explore the dynamics of land use and land cover change in Ghana's coastal urban wetlands. This quiz covers key findings from a study on the ecological importance of these wetlands and the impacts of urbanization. Test your knowledge on the environmental challenges and management strategies relevant to this vital ecosystem.