Land use and land cover change dynamics and local perception in the Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu-Natal

The Earth’s land cover is continuously modified by changes in land use driven by anthropogenic and biophysical factors. Anthropogenic activities play a dominant role in altering natural landscapes and resources, often leading to adverse environmental and socio-economic implications. Like many developing nations, South Africa has experienced rapid urbanisation, population, and economic growth, particularly in areas with high economic potential. Understanding Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes is crucial for assessing past land use patterns, identifying driving forces, and evaluating the broader implications of these changes. This study aims to assess LULC change patterns, identify their underlying drivers and evaluate their environmental and socio-economic implications in the Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu-Natal. The study employs RapidEye and PlanetScope images from 2009 to 2024, utilising Google Earth Engine and random forest algorithm for classification. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with key informants and analysed using thematic analysis. The results showed major landscape changes from vegetation to built-up, barren to built-up, and vegetation to forests, with an overall accuracy between 88% and 95%. Respondents perceived a significant decline in agricultural land due to urban expansion, population growth, rural-urban migration, and inadequate land-use monitoring as primary drivers of LULC changes. Moreover, stakeholders highlighted critical implications, including biodiversity loss, and climate-related challenges such as flooding and pollution along the coastal region. These insights emphasise the need for proactive policies and sustainable urban planning to mitigate the impacts of LULC changes.