Fragmentation rate and landscape structure of the Tillabry landscape (Sahel region) with reference to desertification

This paper sought to investigate and monitor desertification processes in the Tillabery landscape (Sahel). To achieve this aim, it employed a landscape metrics approach. The usefulness of landscape structure was investigated in the context of desertification. A set of indices was selected to investigate multi-temporal change in the Tillabery landscape affected by desertification. The percentage of land indices showed a decrease in plateau vegetation. Water bodies increased between 1973 and 1989 but later recorded a 50% decrease. The indices further revealed an increase in bare soils. Shrubs increased between 1973 and 1989. This increase can be attributed to reforestation activities. The results further revealed that the Tillabery landscape has a high number of patches and patch sizes are very small, indicating that the original landscape is increasingly being converted into bare areas and agricultural fields, thereby accentuating the issue of land degradation in the region.   Key words: Landscape metrics, desertification, remote sensing, Tillabery landscape.