Causas e Implicações das Mudanças no Uso e Cobertura da Terra na Reserva Florestal de Mecubúri

Abstract

The Mecubúri Forest Reserve (MFR) is a conservation area of great relevance for biodiversity preservation. However, over recent decades, the expansion of agricultural land and the exploitation of forest resources by resident communities have exerted increasing pressure on the reserve’s forest cover. This article analysed the causes and implications of land-use and land-cover changes in the Mecubúri Forest Reserve, located in northern Mozambique. A mixed-methods approach was adopted for data collection, combining primary data obtained through surveys administered to 140 households across five communities with direct field observations. The results show that agricultural expansion is the main driver of deforestation and forest degradation, followed by fuelwood extraction, charcoal production, and population growth. A strong dependence on slash-and-burn shifting cultivation was observed, associated with limited intensification of production systems. Local communities observe a significant reduction in forest cover and identify several impacts, including decreased availability of forest fruits, declining wildlife populations, and the progressive degradation of natural resources. It is concluded that land-use and land-cover changes result from the interaction between socioeconomic factors and traditional land-use practices. Therefore, the implementation of integrated strategies for sustainable management, agricultural intensification, promotion of alternative energy sources, and strengthening of forest governance is necessary, complemented by monitoring through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques.