Land Degradation Mapping and Assessment (LADA)
Land Degradation Mapping and Assessment (LADA) refers to the process of evaluating the deterioration in the quality and productivity of the land, often caused by human activities and natural processes. This degradation can affect soil, water, and vegetation, reducing agricultural productivity, biodiversity loss, and diminishing ecosystem services. Land degradation assessments are essential for understanding the current state of land resources, identifying the causes of degradation, and developing strategies for sustainable land management and conservation.
The effect of land degradation in this country is still underestimated at all level of government mainly because it is a very slow steady progress and its effect acknowledged only at the point where the cost of reversing is enormous. Degradation has a serious impact on water conservation, environmental storage, water security and land productivity. Kenya frequently suffers the twin challenges of intensive rainfall and flooding often followed by severe biting droughts. This phenomenon driven by effects of climate change is exacerbated by high surface water runoff.
Land degradation is a slow process manifesting itself after a long period of time. The process is exacerbated by soil and water erosion coupled with human activities. All forms of land if not sustainably managed will undergo degradation, hence reducing their productivity. National land degradation assessment carried out in 2014 shows about 28.3% of Kenya’s land mass is highly degraded and if no action taken the same is projected to increase further to 30% by the year 2030.
Likely causes and effects: Land degradation is mainly caused by man's activities such as inappropriate and unsuitable land use, devegetation, deforestation, uncontrolled fires, overstocking and overgrazing which leads to high surface water runoff and erosion of fertile soils resulting to reduced land productivity and water availability.
The Land Degradation Assessment (LADA) Program at watershed level will provide vital information to enable sustainable and focused land reclamation. This will be done through utilization of GIS/Remote Sensing tools and further assessment of the underlying natural, economic and social drivers of land degradation in the study areas. The LADA findings will inform reclamation interventions which will improve land productivity and increase water availability. This will also reduce competition for natural resources especially in the ASALs areas which leads to conflicts and insecurity. LADA is therefore the best tool to sensitize land owners/users on land degradation and offer recommendations on best land use practices to ensure food security, water security and climate resilience.