Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Title: | Population growth and deforestation in the Volta River basin of Ghana, 1960-2010: integration of satellite, survey and census data |
Author: | Codjoe, Samuel Nii Ardey![]() |
Year: | 2006 |
Periodical: | Research Review (ISSN 0855-4412) |
Volume: | 22 |
Issue: | 2 |
Pages: | 55-69 |
Language: | English |
Notes: | biblio. refs., ills., maps |
Geographic terms: | Ghana West Africa |
Subjects: | population growth deforestation river basins geography population Volta River Watershed (Ghana) Artificial satellites in surveying |
Abstract: | The Volta River basin in Ghana is experiencing rapid deforestation. This paper uses satellite, household survey and population census data - derived from the Population Census Reports of Ghana for 1960, 1970, 1984 and 2000 - to relate trends and patterns of population in the Volta River sub-basins to forest cover. It assesses the amount of forest available in 1990 and 2000, and the relationship between population (in terms of absolute population, population density and annual population growth) and forest cover. Forest cover that might be lost due to changes in population is computed for 2010, based on simple regression models and demographic projections. Forest cover predicted for 2010 is matched with actual forest cover in 2000. A forest availability status table is generated. It gives an indication of available forest cover in the sub-basins in 2010. Predictions indicate that about 20 percent and 25 percent of all districts within the Black Volta and Daka sub-basins, respectively, will experience deforestation as a result of increase in population. Other indirect demographic factors, such as fuelwood use, agricultural activities and livestock production, are also shown to be reasons for deforestation. Bibliogr., ref., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract, edited] |