AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON TABALAK WETLAND WATERSHED

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess how human activities affect Tabalak watershed dynamics. Data was collected from three sample sites along the Tabalak watershed to identify the morphological units and their socio-economic activities area. Satellite images and GPS coordinates were used and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted.  Our findings showed that in the last 40 years (1980-2020) there has been an increase in field surface areas and a decrease in the natural vegetation surface areas. The dynamics of the watershed reveal that the space occupied by vegetation was first transformed into crops and then evolved into other classes of bare soil and koris. It is therefore human who is responsible for accelerating the degradation of the environment. These actions are accentuated by the over-exploitation of vegetation, the best protection for soil against erosion.