Doctorant en Environnement, Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Herbier National, Institut National d’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles, Centre National de Recherches Scientifiques et Technologiques, Sciences et Technologies - Université Aube Nouvelle, 06 BP9283 Ouagadougou 06, Ouagadougou, Burkina
Hydro-agricultural fitting out seen as a main solution to the problems of rainfall deficits represent a source of degradation of the plant cover. The aim of this study was to understand the dynamics of land use units linked to hydro-agricultural fitting out in the Tapoa watershed. The methodology deployed consisted in the diachronic analysis of multi-date images of Landsat Thematic Mapper from 1975, 1998 ETM + and OLI-TIRS from 2018. Several scenes were used and a difference period of 43 years divided into two periods allowed us to compare the evolution of land use units within the limits of the Tapoa watershed. The results show an increase in crop areas compared to other natural units. The cultivated areas which occupied 5.4% of the watershed surface in 1975, reach 22.54%. For the savannahs’ area, it decreased from 83% to 61.98% in the period 1975-2018. These observed changes are largely linked to the development of human activities induced by the Tapoa hydro-agricultural fitting out. The regression of plant units to the benefit of anthropized spaces testifies the degradation of natural plant cover. This development, although having positive socio-economic benefits, is a degradation factor of the natural environment of the area. However, it cannot be the only factor in the deterioration and their dynamics.