Papers by Alfred Isa Gassama
Using Satellite Images for Wetland Management and Planning in Africa
Agriculture, forestry and climate change
Sierra Leone is a developing nation, one which is characterized by dominance of poverty, bad agri... more Sierra Leone is a developing nation, one which is characterized by dominance of poverty, bad agricultural practices, forest degradation activities and inadequate environmental monitoring and mitigation projects. Hence the need for man's appropriate intervention strategies for adaptation and mitigation of climate change effects has increased along with the demand for food required by the growing national population. Numbers of publications have shown that more than 65% of the total active population (in Sierra Leone) depends on agriculture and forestry for the sustenance of their livelihoods. Nearly 100% of the mentioned population engages in practices that may give rise to climate change effects. This brief is limited to the Sierra Leone context of agricultural practices and traditional deforestation activities that cause climate change effects, the relative impacts on agriculture, forestry, human livelihood (and sparsely considering the general ecology) and probable recommended mitigations if adhered to. It also intends to raise the reader's awareness of the current trend of climate change and how they are related to agriculture and forestry practices, likewise to close gaps in existing policies integrating agriculture, forestry and climate change nationwide. Furthermore, this brief intends to interrogate the various Sierra Leonean types of agriculture and forest systems and practices, how they contribute to increase the risks of national climate change effects, the impacts and current adaptation responses and finally what can be done to reduce or mitigate the problems causing the climate change effects. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC IV 2007 assessment report) revealed that climate change impacts and their correlated expenses have posed threats that undermine the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs related to reducing poverty and maximizing food security) in developing nations.
Since the onset of the phenomenon of large scale land acquisition for agri-business in Sierra Leo... more Since the onset of the phenomenon of large scale land acquisition for agri-business in Sierra Leone, after the first whistle was blown by Green Scenery, many studies have been conducted by various researchers, some to meet requirements for degree thesis, others for policy and development purposes. There is the fear in a school of thought opposed to large scale land acquisition that there is danger in corporate entities ascribing huge portions of land to themselves in the guise of investment and annihilating the actual land owners.
This school of thought holds the view that large scale land acquisition is alarming in scale and deleterious to ecologic functions and to the socio-economic wellbeing of communities directly affected by the phenomenon. Deforestation and changing biome are the leading factors that associates large scale land investments, which in turn may activate total environmental degradation (loss of biodiversity; water, air & land pollution of all kinds; food insecurity and adverse climate change effects).
Other factors such as conflict over land, conflict arising from unappreciated compensations, corruption due to interest in land deals, investors failing to meet their corporate social responsibility, demands of affected communities, loss of self created jobs in farming that support livelihoods of small holder farmers and community trans-boundary issues are other challenges pointed at by those not in favour.
The other school of thought in favour of the phenomenon postulates that huge transformations accompany the process of large scale investment in land for agriculture. This offers jobs where mainstream jobs are unavailable, improves infrastructural development and contributes to national revenue.
Howbeit, this work will not look into the issues presented by these schools of thought. What it intends to do is to bring further issues into the discussions. The issues of the accuracy of land sizes taken by the investors, whether the land taken in particular locations are infringing or not in other locations, how much land area is taken as against the total area of host communities. Therefore, this work is based on spatial attention of concern dealing with concessions of large scale land investments.
A prominent business, SOCFIN Agricultural Company (SAC) Sierra Leone Ltd. in Pujehun District, otherwise SOCFIN for this report, was prioritized for this monitoring exercise.
This Policy Brief forms part of "Promoting Equal Land Rights through Advocacy, Media Campaign and... more This Policy Brief forms part of "Promoting Equal Land Rights through Advocacy, Media Campaign and Capacity Building" This Policy Brief is set to propound women's rights and access to natural resources as indic in the National Land Policy (NLP of Tenure of Land Fisheries and Forests in the context of national food security (intends to espouse reasons/causes of violations of women's rights the country. It speaks to the impacts of these violations and and behavioral change that guarantees equitable rights for all citizens (particularly, the women) to access, use and own natural resources like land.
and behavioral change that guarantees equitable rights for all citizens (particularly, the women)... more and behavioral change that guarantees equitable rights for all citizens (particularly, the women) to access, use and own natural resources like land.
Sierra Leone is a developing nation, one which is characterized by dominance of poverty, bad agri... more Sierra Leone is a developing nation, one which is characterized by dominance of poverty, bad agricultural practices, forest degradation activities and inadequate environmental monitoring and mitigation projects. Hence the need for man's appropriate intervention strategies for adaptation and mitigation of climate change effects has increased along with the demand for food required by the growing national population. Numbers of publications have shown that more than 65% of the total active population (in Sierra Leone) depends on agriculture and forestry for the sustenance of their livelihoods. Nearly 100% of the mentioned population engages in practices that may give rise to climate change effects. This brief is limited to the Sierra Leone context of agricultural practices and traditional deforestation activities that cause climate change effects, the relative impacts on agriculture, forestry, human livelihood (and sparsely considering the general ecology) and probable recommended mitigations if adhered to. It also intends to raise the reader's awareness of the current trend of climate change and how they are related to agriculture and forestry practices, likewise to close gaps in existing policies integrating agriculture, forestry and climate change nationwide. Furthermore, this brief intends to interrogate the various Sierra Leonean types of agriculture and forest systems and practices, how they contribute to increase the risks of national climate change effects, the impacts and current adaptation responses and finally what can be done to reduce or mitigate the problems causing the climate change effects. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC IV 2007 assessment report) revealed that climate change impacts and their correlated expenses have posed threats that undermine the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs related to reducing poverty and maximizing food security) in developing nations.
Introduction
Solid waste and it related management practices have a very great potential of infl... more Introduction
Solid waste and it related management practices have a very great potential of influencing the environment, irrespective of the nature (i.e. physical, social and or economic). The intensity of the impact to the respective environments depends on the composition (individual components) and their concentration and as well the degree of proximity (vulnerability) of the various environment factors. Certainly, there are two impact options of solid waste to every environment; one is the positive and the other the negative. Never the less, more premium is given to the negative aspect in this research work since, there is high existing realization of the prevailing environmental and public health threat presented by hazardous waste components of high toxicity and the numerous disease vectors and pathogen hosted in various waste materials. After impact examination and evaluation, the possible state of the environment (“fate” of the environment) at present and in the mere future could be determined and hence, improvisation is made for any odd situation, thereof.
Books by Alfred Isa Gassama
Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) Federal Agency for Nature Conservation Konstantinstrasse 110 53179 Bonn, Germany URL: http://www.bfn.de, 2021
This handbook aims to demonstrate how satellite images can support information-based
management a... more This handbook aims to demonstrate how satellite images can support information-based
management and planning of wetlands, with a focus on Africa. It serves as a manual and
roadmap on how to use available remote sensing data and tools for wetland planning and
management challenges. However, the handbook is also applicable to other ecosystems
and regions outside of Africa.
The handbook was developed specifically for wetland managers and practitioners. It aims
to facilitate the uptake of satellite-based approaches by showcasing their applicability and
providing concrete examples to guide and inspire their implementation. The manual specifi-
cally refers to the GEOclassifier toolbox which was developed for wetland managers in the
context of several internationally funded projects. This toolbox is available free of charge. It
can be used, for example, to display and analyse satellite images and to map or classify
wetland extents and conditions and changes thereof. The resulting satellite products can
help to visualize improvements or degradation of wetlands, plan and discuss management
measures and foster communication among experts and stakeholders or with the general
public. This handbook has been prepared as part of the research and development project
“Wetland-Afrika”. The project is introduced in the following section of this chapter. Chapter 2
shortly outlines the state of wetlands in Africa, typical drivers of change and restoration op-
tions. Chapters 3 and 4 offer hands-on insights on how to obtain relevant information,
based on remote sensing data and tools that are available free of charge. In chapter 5, the
handbook introduces the products that can be generated with the GEOclassifier toolbox
regarding satellite-based maps and indicators. In order to put maps and indicators into a
broader context of application, chapter 6 outlines the applicability of the products in relation
to the challenges that wetland management, planning and reporting face. Finally, chapter 7
includes a series of unique case studies prepared by wetland managers and practitioners
from different countries and regions across Africa. The examples reflect on wetland chal-
lenges and suggest how Earth observation information can help to address these challeng-
es by integrating it into planning and management as well as communication and coopera-
tion among wetland stakeholders.
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Papers by Alfred Isa Gassama
This school of thought holds the view that large scale land acquisition is alarming in scale and deleterious to ecologic functions and to the socio-economic wellbeing of communities directly affected by the phenomenon. Deforestation and changing biome are the leading factors that associates large scale land investments, which in turn may activate total environmental degradation (loss of biodiversity; water, air & land pollution of all kinds; food insecurity and adverse climate change effects).
Other factors such as conflict over land, conflict arising from unappreciated compensations, corruption due to interest in land deals, investors failing to meet their corporate social responsibility, demands of affected communities, loss of self created jobs in farming that support livelihoods of small holder farmers and community trans-boundary issues are other challenges pointed at by those not in favour.
The other school of thought in favour of the phenomenon postulates that huge transformations accompany the process of large scale investment in land for agriculture. This offers jobs where mainstream jobs are unavailable, improves infrastructural development and contributes to national revenue.
Howbeit, this work will not look into the issues presented by these schools of thought. What it intends to do is to bring further issues into the discussions. The issues of the accuracy of land sizes taken by the investors, whether the land taken in particular locations are infringing or not in other locations, how much land area is taken as against the total area of host communities. Therefore, this work is based on spatial attention of concern dealing with concessions of large scale land investments.
A prominent business, SOCFIN Agricultural Company (SAC) Sierra Leone Ltd. in Pujehun District, otherwise SOCFIN for this report, was prioritized for this monitoring exercise.
Solid waste and it related management practices have a very great potential of influencing the environment, irrespective of the nature (i.e. physical, social and or economic). The intensity of the impact to the respective environments depends on the composition (individual components) and their concentration and as well the degree of proximity (vulnerability) of the various environment factors. Certainly, there are two impact options of solid waste to every environment; one is the positive and the other the negative. Never the less, more premium is given to the negative aspect in this research work since, there is high existing realization of the prevailing environmental and public health threat presented by hazardous waste components of high toxicity and the numerous disease vectors and pathogen hosted in various waste materials. After impact examination and evaluation, the possible state of the environment (“fate” of the environment) at present and in the mere future could be determined and hence, improvisation is made for any odd situation, thereof.
Books by Alfred Isa Gassama
management and planning of wetlands, with a focus on Africa. It serves as a manual and
roadmap on how to use available remote sensing data and tools for wetland planning and
management challenges. However, the handbook is also applicable to other ecosystems
and regions outside of Africa.
The handbook was developed specifically for wetland managers and practitioners. It aims
to facilitate the uptake of satellite-based approaches by showcasing their applicability and
providing concrete examples to guide and inspire their implementation. The manual specifi-
cally refers to the GEOclassifier toolbox which was developed for wetland managers in the
context of several internationally funded projects. This toolbox is available free of charge. It
can be used, for example, to display and analyse satellite images and to map or classify
wetland extents and conditions and changes thereof. The resulting satellite products can
help to visualize improvements or degradation of wetlands, plan and discuss management
measures and foster communication among experts and stakeholders or with the general
public. This handbook has been prepared as part of the research and development project
“Wetland-Afrika”. The project is introduced in the following section of this chapter. Chapter 2
shortly outlines the state of wetlands in Africa, typical drivers of change and restoration op-
tions. Chapters 3 and 4 offer hands-on insights on how to obtain relevant information,
based on remote sensing data and tools that are available free of charge. In chapter 5, the
handbook introduces the products that can be generated with the GEOclassifier toolbox
regarding satellite-based maps and indicators. In order to put maps and indicators into a
broader context of application, chapter 6 outlines the applicability of the products in relation
to the challenges that wetland management, planning and reporting face. Finally, chapter 7
includes a series of unique case studies prepared by wetland managers and practitioners
from different countries and regions across Africa. The examples reflect on wetland chal-
lenges and suggest how Earth observation information can help to address these challeng-
es by integrating it into planning and management as well as communication and coopera-
tion among wetland stakeholders.