Hydromorphological analysis and Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Land use in the Mulongwe River Watershed, in Uvira, Democratic Republic of Congo

<p>This study examines the hydro morphological characteristics and land use changes in the Mulongwe River watershed in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from 2002 to 2020. The analysis addresses the urgent need for sustainable watershed management, particularly as the region faces increasing pressures from human activities and climate variability. Located in eastern Congo, the watershed spans 112.19 km2 and includes 29 sub-basins, flowing from the Mitumba Mountains to Lake Tanganyika. Its ecological richness and complex hydrographic network render it  significant yet vulnerable to risks such as flooding, which are further exacerbated by land use changes. Utilizing high- resolution satellite imagery from Google Earth Pro (2002, 2020) and a 10-meter digital elevation model (DEM) from  NASA's SRTM, the study employed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) through ArcGIS software for precise mapping and analysis. The DEM facilitated comprehensive topographic analysis, while the georeferenced images enabled detailed comparisons of land cover categories, including forest, agriculture, urban areas, and bare soil. The findings reveal a substantial change in land use between 2002 and 2020, with an overall increase of 23.78% in cultivated and urban areas, while forested regions have decreased. This trend reflects regional patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa, driven by population growth and agricultural intensification. The elongated shape of the watershed and its varied topography contribute to its vulnerability to hydrological changes, and the reduction of vegetation has amplified flood risks by altering runoff and water retention.</p>