Assessment of Land Resources and Biodiversity for Sustainable Peace and Development. Abyei Area, West Kordofan State, Sudan

The study was conducted in Abyei area to provide basic land resources information that could help decision makers and planners in setting up plans for agricultural development and other land intensive Livelihoods initiatives. Abyei area lies in South Kordofan State between Latitude 9o 38- 10o 15 N and Longitude 28o 11 - 29o 45 E, within a previous conflict zone. In order to avoid conflict over resources and achieve a sustainable peace and to enhance poverty reduction initiative in Abyei the assessment and mapping of its natural resources and biodiversity was performed using remote sensing and GIS technology. Images from ASTER 2005, SPOT of 2006 and Landsat Thematic Mapper (Landsat 5 TM) of year 2000 were used in this study. Visual image interpretation aided with digital image processing and field observations were the adopted methods. The results revealed production of set of land resources maps at scale 1150000 that include Physiography& Soils, Drainage System, Vegetation, Settlements/ infrastructure, Nature Reserve Boundary and the Land Resources maps. The results showed that Abyei land System is part of a regional landform system composed of a repeating pattern of physiographically interrelated land units created by surface drainage and water flow processes (e. g. deposition and erosion) mainly along Bahr El Arab and Bahr El Gazal. The study area is dominated by the repeated pattern of the four elements (Physiography, soils, vegetation and drainage). The study concluded that the land resources are under more intensive pressure and high demand under post war hence, their characterization and assessment are exceptionally needed for planning and development to ensure a proper management and sustainable use of these resources. The study recommended detailed and ultra-detailed surveys, supported by high quality remote sensing data to characterize the land units for management purposes especially in irrigated projects of high input capital (e. g. vegetable and fruit farming).