Characterising Land Use and Land Cover Change in South African National Parks’ Buffer Zones

Abstract

This study investigates Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes in the buffer zones of South African National Parks (SANParks) to establish their impact on biodiversity conservation and inform management strategies. By utilising Earth Observation (EO) and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies, alongside the spatial and temporal capabilities provided by latest LULC datasets, the research identifies trends and intensities of changes across multiple national parks. The findings revealed significant anthropogenic influences on buffer zones, underscoring challenges in implementing effective conservation measures. Key contributions include the development of a replicable monitoring framework to evaluate LULC dynamics, supporting adaptive management strategies for SANParks. This work enhances the understanding of the intricate relationships between Protected Areas (PAs) and their surrounding landscapes, providing actionable recommendations that balance biodiversity conservation with the socio-economic development of adjacent communities.