The environmental imprints and complexes of social dynamics in rural Africa: Cases from Zimbabwe and Ghana

This article analyses land use and vegetation change in the savanna contexts of central Zimbabwe and coastal Ghana. The results of analyses based on field surveys, time series aerial photographs/satellite images and GIS methods challenge current assumptions of linear vegetation change under social dynamics in these two contexts. The evidence from these areas rather points to multi-directional and patch dynamic change. It is thus concluded that more detailed and broadly based studies are necessary to enable more insightful and effective management of land use issues.