the eternal frontier: an ecological history of north america and it's people

Wild ungulates have high economic values as a source of revenue through consumptive and nonconsumptive utilization. Their abundance and spatial distribution is highly related to availability of quality forage and water resources. They account for the vast majority of large herbivores currently on earth and are found in nearly every biome especially in arid and semiarid grasslands. Wild ungulates are hoofed wild mammals comprising large grazers and browsers.

the eternal frontier: an ecological history of north america and it

The study recommends land use zoning of KWE and establishment of an effective and efficient wildlife benefit-sharing scheme(s). The main effects of LUCs on wild ungulates in KWE include a decline in wild ungulate numbers, habitat destruction, increased human-wildlife conflicts, land degradation, and displacement of wild ungulates by livestock. The main possible causes of LUC were found to be agricultural expansions, human population dynamics, economic factors, changing land tenure policy, politics, and sociocultural factors. The results showed a noticeable increase in the size of farmland, settlement, and other lands and a decline in forestland, grassland, wetland, and woodland. The objective of the study was to map out LUCs, determine the possible causes of LUCs, and examine the effects of LUCs on wild ungulates.

This study used remote sensing data from landsat satellite to analyze the changing land use patterns between 19 and their impacts on wild ungulates in KWE. This has affected wildlife habitats by converting them into farmlands and human settlements.

In Kenya, wildlife numbers have drastically declined due to land use changes (LUCs) over the past three decades.

The eternal frontier: an ecological history of north america and it's people