Mary Okoth, a B.Sc. Environmental Studies & Community Development graduate from Kenyatta  University,  Kenya, was among the participants in the RCMRD Map competition held in 2022. This competition aims to promote the utilization of Earth Observation data and raise awareness about data-sharing geoportals and observatories, empowering users to explore GIS datasets and innovate for a better world.

Mary's product focused on the spatio-temporal analysis of Yala Swamp, presented in the form of an engaging story map. Her work,’ Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests!’ earned her recognition and secured the award in the 'Land Degradation, Wetlands, and Conservation' category in the RCMRD 2022 Map Competition.

In her own words, ‘the various sources of data for my project included RCMRD Open Data site and GMES and Africa geoportal and I would encourage various stakeholders to utilize these datasets as they are open data sources and the Geoportal is accessible and have a user-friendly interface, the data are of high quality, accurate and reliable as they can address real-world problems, improve decision-making, and drive positive change.’

Mary's project has the potential to benefit a wide range of stakeholders involved in the management and conservation of Yala Swamp. Environmental and Conservation Organizations can utilize her work to gain insights into the ecological dynamics of the wetland, monitor changes in vegetation, water quality, and wildlife populations, and identify areas that require special attention for conservation efforts. Government agencies can leverage her findings to inform policies and regulations that ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital ecosystem. Researchers, local communities, and the tourist industry can also benefit from her project by making informed decisions about environmental management and sustainable tourism practices that minimize environmental impacts while enhancing the visitor experience.

There are various datasets in the GMES and Africa Geoportal including;

· Wetland Monitoring and Assessment data

· Land Degradation Monitoring and Assessment data

· Open Geographical Regional Reference Vector Database for Water and Agro-ecological Zones (OGRVD).

According to Mary , ‘Land degradation data can address several important issues and provide valuable insights for various stakeholders and various sectors including Environmental conservation to identify areas experiencing soil erosion, deforestation and desertification, and Agricultural productivity in gaining insights on the extent and severity of land degradation in agricultural lands which  can help in developing strategies to improve soil health, prevent erosion and implement sustainable agricultural practice, leading to increased productivity and food security.’

Explore Mary Okoth's publication: https://arcg.is/1Krbyv0