Summary: | In Northen Bungoma, Western province – Kenya, the Vi-Agroforestry Project (VI-AFP) has introduced a new project that covers 7000 households. To succeed with the project, a water resources protection project, agroforestry methods will be implemented to secure the water quality of the area. In this thesis a foundation is laid for future follow-up studies of land cover and land use of this area. To carry out this study an existing method from a cooperation between VIAFP and Dalarnas University (HDa) has been implemented. The method aims to do follow-up studies and understand the changes that occur in landscape. So far the contents of the method have been to interview local farmers and map their farms. In this thesis one more aspect has been added to the method in the form of satellite images. This addition will give studies a larger perspective for the investigated area that acts as a foundation for future follow-up studies. By combining satellite images and detailed investigations on farms in the landscape the insight from both angels increases. The satellite images explain common patterns found on single farms in a larger context and vice versa. Actions taken for preserving land may differ between farms, although they have similar prerequisites. The type of action implemented for preserving may be a result of economic conditions and the proportion of the farm in relation to the landscape. With resemblance to other areas in Kenya, knowledge of ground preserving methods is more extensive then the implementation of these. To satisfy the needs of a growing population, more sensitive land has to be cultivated. Changes occurring on macro-scale level in Kenya are transferable to the investigation area.
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