Micael Runnström
Senior lecturer
Environmental Change in Conflict and Post-conflict Northern Uganda: A Geographical Analysis to Understand Prospects for Sustainable Peace and Development in the Region
Author
Summary, in English
Armed conflicts are acknowledged for their effects on the environment, including
ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, but also ecological restoration. Both
processes impact post-conflict opportunities for peace and development. The armed conflict in Northern Uganda (1986–2008) profoundly affected local communities and their natural environment. While some areas suffered environmental degradation others underwent ecological restoration. Understanding this historical pattern is crucial for post-conflict natural resource management and peace and development prospects. This article aims to analyse vegetation changes in Northern Uganda during and after the conflict, exploring potential drivers of such changes and their implications for sustainable peace and development. Utilising remote sensing analysis and literature review, we observe a post-conflict ‘greening’ trend alongside a more equal vegetation deterioration and restoration spatial distribution. We propose that if these trends are driven by agriculture expansion, the way this is organised and articulated with natural vegetation will be central for peace and development.
ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, but also ecological restoration. Both
processes impact post-conflict opportunities for peace and development. The armed conflict in Northern Uganda (1986–2008) profoundly affected local communities and their natural environment. While some areas suffered environmental degradation others underwent ecological restoration. Understanding this historical pattern is crucial for post-conflict natural resource management and peace and development prospects. This article aims to analyse vegetation changes in Northern Uganda during and after the conflict, exploring potential drivers of such changes and their implications for sustainable peace and development. Utilising remote sensing analysis and literature review, we observe a post-conflict ‘greening’ trend alongside a more equal vegetation deterioration and restoration spatial distribution. We propose that if these trends are driven by agriculture expansion, the way this is organised and articulated with natural vegetation will be central for peace and development.
Department/s
- Department of Human Geography
- Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
- Centre for Geographical Information Systems (GIS Centre)
Publishing year
2024-06-19
Language
English
Pages
698-729
Publication/Series
The Journal of Environment & Development
Volume
33
Issue
4
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Topic
- Human Geography
Keywords
- environmental change
- NDVI
- Northern Uganda
- post-conflict
- sustainable development
- sustainable peace
- vegetation change
Status
Published
Project
- The Nature of Peace – The dynamics between post-conflict peacebuilding and environmental protection
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1552-5465