Papayo wetland use-cover change and underpinning factors in the period 2015-2022

Abstract

Encroachment is one of the major challenges in Uganda’s wetlands that has accelerated wetlands degradation. However, restoration efforts in Uganda have had mixed success outcomes with re-encroachment being observed within a short time span. This study therefore, sought to assess the factors leading to re-encroachment on restored wetlands in Eastern Uganda. The study specifically sought to: (1) compare land use/cover patterns of Papayo wetland prior to and after restoration interventions, (2) identify the drivers of re-encroachment in the restored Papayo wetland, and (3) identify strategies for addressing re-encroachment challenge in Papayo wetland. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using cross sectional household survey, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), and key informant interviews. To compare the change patterns of Papayo wetland before and after restoration interventions, a post-classification detection method was employed to perform wetland use/cover change detection based on three change detection aspects; (i) detecting the changes that have occurred, (ii) identifying the nature of the change and, (ii) measuring the area extent of the change. A logistic regression was run to provide insights into the drivers of re-encroachment of Papayo wetland. Descriptive analysis was performed on the perceived potential strategies for management of wetland re-encroachment. Results showed that 40% of previously degraded wetland had been restored by the year 2020. However, by 2022, 95.5% of the restored wetland had been re-encroach. Results further showed that 62.3% of the wetland users had lost their farmland during the wetland restoration process. Dissatisfaction with the alternative livelihood options, unclear land tenure over the wetland, perceived higher returns on wetland use as compared to the introduced alternative livelihood options, and perceived historical ownership and heritage of wetlands influenced users determination to re-encroach the wetlands. Wetland management, co-created livelihood options, control and community sensitization were the probable strategies to address re-encroachment. It is concluded that the restoration program registered significant gains by 2019 however, these were eroded in the two years between 2020 and 2022. This was primarily influenced by contraction and expansion of farmlands driven mainly by high level of dependence on the wetland and the unclear land tenure. It is recommended that restoration efforts for wetlands require to be sustained for medium to long term in order to retain early wins from the restoration interventions. In addition, alternative livelihood options to be supported need to be identified and prioritized by the beneficiary communities