By Neo Kolane
An Earth Observation data field survey conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization in collaboration with government of Lesotho, shows that soil erosion is the direct driver of Lesotho’s wetlands degradation.
The storymap presenting the results of data gathered in October-November 2021, shows that eroded soils were detected across more than 30 percent of the surveyed wetlands.
“Overgrazing of the rangelands as well as climate change have increased erosion of soil in Lesotho.
“The survey aimed to collect in-situ data on land cover and with special focus on wetland vegetation type and degradation status in priority sub-catchments crossing the four agro-ecological zones.
“The results will inform the process to develop the new Lesotho Land Cover Database and Atlas,” the report says.
Soil erosion can potentially damage and destroy wetland habitats, reduce wetland productivity, and can eventually result in the loss of the wetland itself.
