Study on Temporal Alterations in Land Cover Types in Simien Mountain National Park, Northwest Ethiopia

A dramatic shift in land cover types within Simien Mountain National Park (SMNP), Ethiopia, has been revealed through satellite imagery analysis. While agricultural and barren lands expanded significantly from 1972 to 1994, a reversal occurred between 1994 and 2017, with montane forests and grasslands increasing notably—particularly the latter at an accelerated rate of 260.5 hectares per year. Conversely, agricultural land declined sharply (272.8 ha/year), signaling potential ecosystem restoration. However, intensified grazing remains a critical threat to ecological processes in the park, necessitating long-term strategies for sustainable resource management.

Masresha, G. (2019). Study on Temporal Alterations in Land Cover Types in Simien Mountain National Park, Northwest Ethiopia. International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research, 6(3), 125–136. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.70.2019.63.125.136