• Introduction
• Duties of the Technical Advisors
• Accomplishments of the Technical Advisors
• Technical Seminar on Digital Mapping Standards with the Department of Surveys
• Advanced Training in Geographic Technologies
• Digitizing course
• Training of Trainees - integrating UNIMA in the next Sequence of Geographic
• Technology Trainings.
• Integration of Geographic Technology in UNIMA Courses
• Development of the Prototype EIS
• Investigating the Long Term Acquisition and Value of AVHRR data for Environmental Monitoring
• Appendix 1: Scope of Work of the technical advisors
• Appendix 2: Technical Seminar Report on Digital Mapping Standards, Department of Surveys
• Appendix 3: Provisional metadata for digital soils map, Blantyre ADD
• Appendix 4: Provisional metadata for georeferenced image
• Appendix 5: Advanced training schedule
• Appendix 6: Social, political, economic, and biophysical timeline of events in the Shire Watershed
• Appendix 7: Draft of trip report, Nicholas Haan
• Appendix 8: Summary statement
• Appendix 9: Draft report on Recommendations towards refining a strategy for the development of a prototype EIS
• Appendix 10: Shire Social Situation Analysis
• Appendix 11: Candidates for the Shire Analysis team
• Appendix 12: Provisional time line for the allocation of tasks to the Analysis team
• Appendix 13: Report on the Evaluation of AVHRR 1.1km HRPT data

Clark University’s involvement in the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme (MEMP), a program within the Department of Environmental Affairs (previously referred to as the Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs), continues to emphasize the development of environmental monitoring capacities within the Government of Malawi (GOM) and in its second phase MEMP II has extended its focus to include the University of Malawi (UNIMA). Clark’s activities in MEMP II focuses on the initiatives to provide assistance in the development of a prototype Environmental Information System (EIS) on the Shire River valley, integrate UNIMA in MEMP activities, and build capacity in geographic technologies and environmental monitoring.

This report will review Clark’s involvement in MEMP II from May to August 1997 with reference to tasks as outlined in the Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme (MoREA, 1997). During this period Clark University has conducted a technical seminar on digital mapping standards with the Department of Surveys; conducted the third in a sequence of trainings in geographic technologies at Bunda College; conducted a digitizing training in ArcEdit at the Polytechnic University; worked with university staff to integrate geographic technologies and environmental monitoring into existing UNIMA courses; conducted preparatory work on the training of trainers in the next sequence of geographic technologies training to start in October, 1997; provided assistance in the development of the prototype EIS on sedimentation in the Shire; and investigated the long term acquisition and use of AVHRR data for future environmental monitoring.

Four short term technical advisors were involved: Dr. Ron Eastman, Mathilde Snel, Nicholas Haan, and James Toledano. Their duties included:

1. preparing and conducting a technical seminar with the Department of Surveys on digital mapping standards to be used in the compilation of geographic data in the prototype EIS (task ID 2.4 in the Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme, 1997);
2. preparing and conducting an advanced training in geographic technologies (task ID 6.1) ;
3. preparing and conducting a digitizing coarse at Polytechnic (task ID 6.1 and 6.3);
4. facilitating discussions on the training of trainers in the next sequence of geographic technologies course to start in October 1997 (task ID 6.1);
5. facilitating discussions on the integration of geographic technologies in existing UNIMA courses (task ID 6.3);
6. providing assistance in the development of the prototype EIS on a situation analysis of the Shire River valley (task ID 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 6.3) ; and
7. investigating the long term acquisition and value of AVHRR data for future environmental monitoring activities (task ID 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3).

These duties have been described in detail in the Scope of Work for each of the four short-term technical advisors (Appendix 1).

Members of the Clark University contingent of the EIS design team met with members of the Department of Surveys in Blantyre from June 5-9, 1997 to discuss plans for the prototype EIS and its implications for the work at Surveys (task ID 2.4). Of particular concern was to establish provisional digital mapping standards to be used during the first phase of the prototype EIS. Persons present at the meeting included:

• Mr. Emmanuel Likombola Land Surveys
• Mr. Thompson Sumani Cartography
• Mr. Lovemore Mazonda Cartography
• Mr. Jeff Mzembe Photogrammetry
• Mr. Muwuso Chawinga Photogrammetry
• Mr. Jackson Nakutepa Photogrammetry
• Ms. Mathilde Snel Clark University
• Dr. Ronald Eastman Clark University

In addition, the meeting was opened by Mr. Ambuje F. Tambala, the Surveyor General, with a pledge to assist the group in formalizing its recommendations. In addition, Mr. Greshan Gunda, Chief Staff Surveyor met with the group to review their work. Recommendations for digital mapping standards were made and include coding standards (e.g. entity, representation, attribute, relationship, geometrical, and topological standards), accuracy standards (e.g. horizontal, vertical, and other attributes accuracy standards), documentation standards, and transfer standards (see Appendix 2 for a copy of the draft report). It was agreed that these standards would be reviewed by the Department of Surveys and refined in October when the members of Clark University meet again to further develop and finalize the digital mapping standards (task ID 2.4) and to develop a distribution format and medium (task ID 2.5 and 2.6).

The digital mapping standards as recommended in the draft report of the technical seminar (Surveys, 1997) are being used as provisional standards throughout the compilation of digital geographic data in the prototype EIS (task ID 2.1). The Department of Surveys is at present, for example, using a provisional data standards form as recommended by the technical seminar for all digitized files (see Appendix 3 for an example of a data standards form for a digital soils maps of Blantyre ADD) and georeferenced files (see Appendix 4 for an example of a data standards form for a 1994 georeferenced satellite image).

The third in a series of geographic trainings was held at Bunda college from June 17 to June 21, 1997 (task ID 6.1). Seventeen participants attended and completed the full training sequence as follows:

• McArd Joseph Mlotha - Forestry Planning and Mapping Unit, Lilongwe
• Patrick Jambo - Forestry Planning and Mapping Unit, Lilongwe
• Muwosa Kennedy Chawinga - Department of Surveys, Blantyre
• Jakson Nakutepa - Department of Surveys, Blantyre
• Meescheck Kapila - Land Husbandry Training Center, Zomba
• Symon Mkwinda - Land Resources and Conservation Branch, Shire Valley ADD
• John Mussa - Land Resources and Conservation Branch, Shire Valley ADD
• Austwell Kayinga - Land Resources and Conservation Branch, Kasungu ADD
• Samuel Chilombe - Meteorological Department, Chileka
• Nicholas Mwafulirwa - Meteorological Department, Lilongwe
• Benson Phiri - USAID
• Joseph Jonazi - UNIMA, Bunda College
• Kenneth Wiyo - UNIMA, Bunda College
• Steven Taulo - UNIMA, Polytechnic
• G. Chavula - UNIMA, Polytechic
• Meya Kalindekafe - UNIMA, Chancellor
• Edith Kanjo - UNIMA, Chancellor

Dr. Ron Eastman, Nicholas Haan, and Mathilde Snel conducted sessions on time series analysis to investigate landcover change and interpret socioeconomic changes; decision making techniques for environmental analysis; and modeling of soil erosion potential using additive and multiplicative models (e.g. SLEMSA). The sequence of topics covered during the advanced training has been included in Appendix 5.

In conjunction with the prototype EIS on the Shire River valley, most sessions during the training focused on analyzing areas within the Shire watershed. A time series analysis indicating variation in NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) over a fifteen year period (1982 - 1997) was used on the watershed about the Nkulu and Tedzani hydroelectric dam. A principle components analysis was used over the fifteen year time period (1082 - 1997) to extract major trends or components. A discussion of the biophysical and socio-economic changes from 1982 to 1997 in the watershed were discussed in class to help interpret the component loadings (Appendix 6). Two primary components were identified: one indicating a 8-10 year climatic cycle (graph 1) and another indicating areas of significant vegetation change (Graph 2). Graph 2 indicates that a significant change seems to have taken place after 1993/94; it was speculated that this sudden change in the second component loading may be indicative of the significant vegetation changes that have taken place after democratization in Malawi. Figure 2 shows the corresponding image to Graph 2 where green and red/black represent significant landcover changes and yellow areas insignificant landcover changes. Areas of significant land cover change include areas about Mwanza and Neno, north of Blantyre, west of Zomba forest reserve, and west of Mount Mulanje. Similar time series analysis are presently being implemented for the entire Shire watershed in the development of the prototype EIS.

In conjunction with the prototype EIS emphasis on soil erosion hazard in the Shire, the advanced training incorporated a session on soil erosion modeling. Additive and multiplicative models were used to illustrate soil erosion potential in the Kamunde watershed. An additive model combining and weighting criteria (e.g. soils, landcover, slope, and rainfall) that affect soil erosion hazard was created . Also, a multiplicative models using a modified SLEMSA for Malawi (Paris 1990) was used to estimated soil loss in the Kamunde Watershed. As indicated in Figure 2, estimated soil loss in highly vulnerable areas within the Kamunde watershed ranges from approximately 20 to 52 tons per hectare. In approximately 60% of the catchment, however, soil loss was found to be less than 10 t/ha/yr. Throughout the SLEMSA excercise, emphasis was placed on the assumptions of the modified SLEMSA that: rainfall energy and not rainfall intensity information is incorporated; no information is included on the effect of organic matter on soil erosion; and that traditional management - v.s. improved traditional management - is assumed to lead to increased soil loss .

A three day digitizing course facilitated by James Toledano, Mathilde Snel, and Nick Haan in ArcEdit was held at the Polytechic University from July 8 to July 10th, 1997 (task ID 6.1 and 6.3). Only those participants who presently have or will have access to digitizing equipment were asked to attend the course. Specific emphasis was placed on training participants from the Department of Surveys since this GOM agency has a key interest and mandate in digitizing national mapped data. To encourage institutional collaboration within the Department of Surveys, participants from both the digital mapping unit and cartographic unit of the Department of Surveys were encouraged to attend. Aside from the Department of Surveys other participants were from the Land Resources Conservation Branch (Lilongwe), Chancellor College, Bunda College, and Polytechnic college. The participants were as follows:

• Jeff Mezembe - Department of Surveys, Digital Mapping Unit, Blantyre
• Muwosa Kennedy Chawinga - Department of Surveys, Digital Mapping Unit, Blantyre
• Jakson Nakutepa - Department of Surveys, Digital Mapping Unit, Blantyre
• Thompson Sumani - Department of Surveys, Cartographic Unit, Blantyre
• Lovemore Mazonda - Department of Surveys, Cartographic Unit, Blantyre
• Mr. Muthali - Land Resources Conservation Branch, Lilongwe
• Mr. Sengini - Air Photo Interpretation Unit, Land Resources Conservation Branch, Lilongwe
• Joseph Jonazi - UNIMA, Bunda College
• Kenneth Wiyo - UNIMA, Bunda College
• Steven Taulo - UNIMA, Polytechnic
• Geoffrey Chavula - UNIMA, Polytechic
• Mrs. Faparusi - UNIMA, Polytechnic
• Meya Kalindekafe - UNIMA, Chancellor
• Edith Kanjo - UNIMA, Chancellor
• Samuel Chilombe - Meteorological Department, Chileka

Most lectures and labs were held at Polytechnic, while hands on digitizing sessions were conducted at the Department of Surveys. This was the first training in geographic technologies conducted by MEMP where funding was obtained exclusively by participants. Furthermore, it was the first training in which MEMP was not asked to cover overhead costs, rather equipment and facilities were provided to MEMP by the Polytechnic and Department of Surveys. MEMP extents its deep gratitude to both the Polytechnic and Department of Surveys for helping organize the training and providing facilities. The turn out of fifteen participants to the technical advisors indicates the high level of interest for the trainings in geographic technology.

Training of trainers - integrating UNIMA staff as trainers in the next sequence of geographic technologies courses

The focus of MEMP in its second phase has been extended to include UNIMA. A large emphasis in the subsequent sequence of geographic technology trainings - to start in October 1997 - will be the training of trainers (task ID 6.1). Nicholas Haan facilitated discussions with UNIMA staff and made provisional arrangements to incorporate UNIMA staff as instructors in a number of sessions in the next geographic technology training to be held in October 1997. To place further emphasis on the training of trainers, participants in the next sequence of geographic technology course will be primarily from - although not exclusively - UNIMA. Nicholas Haan’s activities relating to integrating UNIMA in the next training sequences is discussed in more detail in his trip report (Appendix 7).

Nicholas Haan facilitated a number of discussions with UNIMA staff to integrate geographic technologies in existing courses (task ID 6.2). Presentations to familiarize UNIMA staff in geographic technologies were given at respectively Polytechnic, Bunda College, and Chancellor College. Discussions were held with and technical guidance given to staff at Chancellor, Bunda, Polytechnic, and Land Husbandry Training Center to integrate GIS and remote sensing in present UNIMA courses and research initiatives. Joseph Jonazi, a professor at Bunda college, for example anticipates to integrate GIS into a statistics course he will be teaching the next semester.

Furthermore, Nicholas Haan conducted a number of discussion with UNIMA on present research initiative and how these may relate to the development of the prototype EIS (task ID 6.3). With respect to these discussions it was found that UNIMA participants of the 1996/97 geographic technologies training are already actively involved in research initiatives other than the Shire (e.g. Chancellor College’s research initiative on Lake Chilwe). It was determined that it would be best to encourage and assist staff on their present research interest rather than ask members to deviate. It is, however, recommended that in the next sequence of trainings similar discussions are held with other UNIMA staff to gauge their interest in participating in the Shire analysis. These activities have been discussed in more detail in Haan’s report (Appendix 7).

Clark University’s involvement in expanding environmental monitoring technologies in its present phase focuses on providing assistance in the development of a prototype Environmental Information System (EIS) on the Shire River valley. Guidance was given in refining the objective and technical strategy of the development of the prototype EIS, providing technical support for the collection and archiving of data (task ID 2.1), and providing technical support for GIS/Remote Sensing analysis in the prototype EIS (task 2.2).

In the absence of an EIS team leader, Mathilde Snel of Clark University and Twanga Mbale of the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) met informally to provide recommendations on refining the objective of and technical strategy for the development of the prototype EIS. Furthermore, Nicholas Haan, James Toledano, Mathilde Snel, and Dr. Ron Eastman of Clark University had a number of discussions relating to recommendations on refining the objective and strategy of the prototype EIS. The discussions were specially geared towards providing recommendations to the EIS team leader, analysis team, and information dissemination team once these have been formally identified.

A summary statement on the Shire situation analysis (Appendix 8) and report were drafted (Appendix 9). It was recommended that the Shire situation analysis build on Green’s report (1996) and emphasize the effectivity of: 1) geographic technologies - such as the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)- to help situate the problem of sedimentation in the Shire and 2) the use of rural appraisals to provide explanations on the underlying causes of environmental degradation and possible mitigation scenarios. It was recommended that the Shire situation analysis concentrate on providing information on land cover change and soil erosion potential by addressing the questions: 1) where are significant landcover/use changes occurring in the Shire river valley?; 2) what is the geographic distribution of soil erosion hazard in the Shire?; 3) what are potential areas of intervention with respect to landcover/use change and soil erosion potential in the Shire?; 4) does land cover change influence soil erosion potential?; 5) what are the underlying social, economic, and political circumstances contributing to land degradation in the Shire?; 6) what are possible intervention strategies and their anticipated impacts?; and time permitting 7) to what extent does landcover/use changes influence sedimentation?. It is recommended that once the principle investigator, analysis team, and information dissemination team have been formally identified that the objective and technical strategy of the prototype EIS are further developed. It is further recommended that DEA consider allocating one staff member to work full-time on coordinating work on the development of the prototype EIS, although the technical advisors realize that this may be difficult to arrange.

In refining the objective and strategy of the prototype EIS, acknowledgment was made of the importance of social analysis to help identify the underlying causes of environmental degradation and possible mitigation scenarios. Nicholas Haan proposed to guide a group of Malawian social scientists in situating a social analysis for the Shire situation analysis (Appendix 10). It was proposed to include two additional tasks (tasks 3 and 4) under the "Assessment of Causes of Sedimentation in the Mid-Shire River" in the Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme: Environmental Monitoring Technologies, Research, and Policy Sub-programmes (MoREA, 1997) (Haan 1997):

Task 3: to develop an action oriented, community based social research methodology that is replicable by GOM and linked to environmental problems identified by geographic and physical analysis

Output 1. Report on methodology with suggestions for implementation, especially as it links to geographic technologies

Task 4:, to illustrate a chain of explanation that spans from immediate to root causes of land use changes - specifically for the sedimentation problem identified in the Shire watershed - so as to advise the GOM on potential scenarios of intervention and their respective anticipated impacts.

Output 2: Research paper that illustrates chain of explanation for policy implications based on intensive study of 2 -3 communities.

Since funding for the analysis team (task force) was not secured yet, Clark University worked jointly with DEA to help facilitate the process. Discussions were held with GOM agencies to gain a better understanding of the level of commitment of staff to the Shire situation analysis and resource needs. Discussions were held with the Department of Forestry, Department of Surveys, Meteorology Department, and Land Conservation Research Branch and candidates in the respective agencies identified (Appendix 11). As a strategy to strengthen departmental capacity, discussions were held with the respective GOM agencies to determine departments interests in environmental monitoring (task 6.1). It was determined that departmental interests were as following: Department of Forestry in conducting landcover/use change analysis; Meteorological department in evaluating geographic variations in rainfall and ndvi/agricultural for drought monitoring; Ministry of Agriculture in evaluating variations in agricultural production and population; and Department of Surveys in digitizing maps (e.g. soils maps) and georeferencing images. Technical guidance was given to the Department of Forestry, Department of Surveys, Meteorology Department, and Ministry of Agriculture with respect to these departmental interest. Tasks - as proposed as deliverables in the Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme: Environmental Monitoring Technologies, Research, and Policy Sub-programmes (MoREA, 1997) - were allocated with respect to these departmental interests. The allocation of these tasks have been outlined in a provisional time line as indicated in Appendix 12.

Based on the draft report Recommendations Towards Refining a Strategy for the Development of a Prototype Environmental Information System (Snel, 1997), it was recommended that the information gathered during the initial GIS and remote sensing analyses emphasize baseline data in the Shire watershed on landcover/use changes (based off coarse 7.5 km NDVI data), slope (based off 1km data), rainfall, energy supply, agriculture, and population (Snel 1997). It is recommended that once this baseline information is collected, a workshop with information users and providers is conducted to help identify areas of intervention based on geographic analysis, anecdotal information, and existing reports (Green 1996). As proposed by Haan (1997), it is recommended that social analysis on the underlying causes and effects of sedimentation and land cover change is conducted in 2-3 such areas of intervention. Time permitting, it is additionally recommended that a more thorough biophysical assessment is conducted in these areas on land cover changes and soil erosion potential.

In addition to the compilation of baseline data, tasks were allocated and technical guidance given for land cover (1984 and 1994) and soil erosion hazard mapping of the mid-Shire as proposed in the Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme (MoREA, 1997). The Department of Surveys will georeference the 1984 and 1994 Landsat images (30 meter resolution) and digitize the soils maps of the Blantyre and Machinga ADDs, while the Department of Forestry will conduct unsupervised classification on the 1984 and 1994 Landsat images.

To ensure the long term investment of creating national capacity, it has been emphasized that digital geographic data sets compiled throughout the Shire analysis is created according to the provisional data standards as drafted by the Department of Surveys (Department of Surveys, 1997). The Department of Surveys is at present using the provisional data standards for all digitized and georeferenced files. The Department of Surveys has completed two data standards forms as recommended during the technical seminar - one data standards form for a Blantyre ADD digitized soils file (Appendix 3) and another for a 1994 georeferenced satellite image (Appendix 4).

To strike a balance between the short term needs of the prototype EIS situation analysis on sedimentation in the Shire and the long term investment of creating national capacity towards developing a national EIS, emphasis was additionally placed on appropriately archiving data. Mathilde Snel assisted the Department of Surveys to archive and document existing digital data (e.g. Famine Early Warning, SWEDE, and Digital Map of the World data) to be used in the Shire analysis. As specified in the technical seminar paper on data standards (Surveys 1997), existing data sets were documented using the Malawi General Purpose reference system (MalawiGP). Furthermore, the Department of Surveys archived - onto Colorado tapes - all 1994 Landsat images of the Shire to be used in the Shire situation analysis and will continue archiving the 1984 images. Mathilde Snel has contacted the University of Arizona to look into the possibility of obtaining the 1984 and 1994 Landsat images for all of Malawi on a more durable CD medium. An archiving medium and capability will need to be discussed in the follow up technical seminar with the Department of Surveys to be held in October (task ID 2.6).

To facilitate future environmental monitoring in Malawi, the Clark team has been involved in analyzing the access and value of AVHRR data ((task ID 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 in the Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme, 1997). Efforts are being facilitated to provide GOM access to 1km and 3k AVHRR for environmental monitoring- data respectively gathered by the Department of Fisheries unit in Salima and Meteorological Department Headquarters in Harare. The Meteorology department in Chileka has recently gained access to 1km NDVI AVHRR monthly data for 1996 - data that may be used for land cover change and drought monitoring. Provisions are presently being made to gain access to the separate bands of the 1km AVHRR data so that easily updated landcover/use maps may be created.

The Clark team have also been evaluating the value of different resolution data for environmental monitoring (task ID 4.3). Dr. Ron Eastman and Mathilde Snel looked into the feasibility of using 1km NDVI data - downloaded at the Department of Fisheries station in Salima - to map landcover/use and to detect fire (see report in Appendix 13 on "Evaluation of AVHRR 1.1km HRPT data"). Subsequently, Nicholas Haan conducted a special session with the Department of Forestry to analyze the use of different resolution NDVI data - 1km AVHRR, 7.6 km NDVI, and 20 meter resolution SPOT data - for monitoring vegetation changes. Discrepancies in deforestation rates between the different resolution data was identified. This will require further investigation.

Department of Surveys, 1997. Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme; Technical Seminar on Environmental Information Systems. Draft Report and Recommendations. Blantyre, June 1997.

Eastman, R. and M. Snel, 1997. Evaluation of AVHRR 1.1km HRPT data. Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme.

EIS Design Team, 1997. Strategy for an Environmental Information System in Malawi.

Green, R.I., V. Mkandawire, H. Kandaya, and M. Kapila, 1996. Study to Identify Sources of Siltation in the Middle Shire River Catchment Area. Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs.

Haan, 1997. Ideas for Situating Social Analysis into the Shire Watershed Situation analysis. Clark University.

MoREA, 1997. The Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme: Environmental Monitoring Technologies, Research, and Policy Sub-Programmes.

Snel, 1997. Recommendations towards Refining a Strategy for the Development of a Prototype Environmental Information System. Clark University.

Appendix 1

Scope of Work
Mathilde Snel
In-Country Coordinator
Idrisi Project, Clark University
June-August, 1997

A major focus of MEMP II continues to be the development of environmental monitoring capacities within the Government of Malawi (GOM). During MEMP II this focus has been extended to include the University of Malawi (UNIMA). Planned activities from June to August 1997 intend to continue this development with both the GOM and UNIMA.

Specifically, three initiatives are planned during this time period: continued GIS training; development of prototype EIS; and linking UNIMA to the MEMP. An advanced GIS training is planned for June 17th to 21st, 1997 with UNIMA and GOM. Following the training, a number of follow-up activities will be conducted on integrating government agencies and university departments into the broader study on environmental monitoring of the Shire River watershed: the site for the development of the prototype EIS. The study will concentrate on assembling information on land cover change, soil erosion vulnerability, and socio-economic indicators. A meeting with the Department of Surveys is also planned in order to create initial national standards and guidelines in working with GIS and Remote Sensing data. Additional activities with UNIMA will move to create a national curriculum in environmental monitoring/GIS and related technologies. Finally, initial steps will be taken with the GOM during workshops and trainings to begin development of the prototype EIS. The role of the in country coordinator/ technical advisor will be to contribute to each of these activities as detailed below:

1. The TA will work on the one week advanced training in GIS and Image Processing. Departments that will be involved in the training include the Department of Surveys, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Meteorology, and UNIMA (Bunda, Chancellor, and Polytechnic).
2. Prior to the one week training responsibilities will include data preparation for the training and creating training exercises.
3. The TA will work with the Department of Surveys to help create a number of national standards and guidelines in working with GIS and Remote Sensing data.
4. The TA will be involved in activities towards creating national capacity in environmental monitoring/environmental information systems including giving input to the Malawi Technical Committee on the Environment, subcommittee on the Shire situation analysis, government agencies and UNIMA.
5. During the post training period, the TA will facilitate work on analyzing land cover change, soil erosion vulnerability, and socio-economic changes in the Shire watershed - with specific concentration on the Machinga and Blantrye ADD. The TA will actively work with individuals assigned to the Shire task force as well as government agencies mandated to participate in the Shire study. The TA will also work help facilitate the involvement of UNIMA in the Shire situation analysis.
6. When appropriate, the TA will continue to facilitate with participating agencies related to continuing GIS development, either for MEMP or as required by the agency.
7. When permitting, the TA will consult on other matters related to MEMP as identified by either the in country Chief of Party or Project Manager/Clark University.

The in-country coordinator/TA will report directly to the in country Chief of Party and will submit weekly updates to both the Chief of Party and Project Manager/Clark University. The anticipated in-country stay will be 50-90 days, work permitting, and will be evaluated on a weekly basis in consultation with the Chief of Party and Project Manager/Clark University. By the conclusion of the visit data standards for working with GIS and remote sensing data will have been developed; an advanced course in GIS and Image Processing will have been conducted; a specialty training in digitizing will have been completed; satellite images about the Machinga ADD will be georeferenced; a prototype landcover map of the Machinga ADD will be created; contours and soils in the Machinga ADD will be digitized; and a prototype soil erosion model for the Machinga ADD will be created. The in country Coordinator will provide at the end of the visit a draft report of work completed, findings and recommendations: for integrating government agencies and university departments into the broader study on environmental monitoring of the Shire River watershed; on future EIS activities; on initial national standards and guidelines in working with GIS and Remote Sensing data at the Department of Surveys; on guidelines in creating a national curriculum in environmental monitoring/GIS and related technologies in UNIMA; and on future GIS/training activities.

A major focus of MEMP II continues to be the development of environmental monitoring capacities within the Government of Malawi (GOM). During MEMP II this focus has been extended to include the University of Malawi (UNIMA). Planned activities from June to August 1997 intend to continue this development with both the GOM and UNIMA.

Specifically, three initiatives are planned during this time period: continued GIS training; development of prototype EIS; and linking UNIMA to the MEMP. An advanced GIS training is planned for June 17th to 21st, 1997 with UNIMA and GOM. Following the training, a number of follow-up activities will be conducted on integrating government agencies and university departments into the broader study on environmental monitoring of the Shire River watershed: the site for the development of the prototype EIS. The study will concentrate on assembling information on land cover change, soil erosion vulnerability, and socio-economic indicators. A meeting with the Department of Surveys is also planned in order to create initial national standards and guidelines in working with GIS and Remote Sensing data. Additional activities with UNIMA will move to create a national curriculum in environmental monitoring/GIS and related technologies. Finally, initial steps will be taken with the GOM during workshops and trainings to begin development of the prototype EIS. The role of the technical advisor will be to contribute to each of these activities as detailed below:

1. The TA will work on the one week advanced training in GIS and Image Processing. Departments that will be involved in the training include the Department of Surveys, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Meteorology, and UNIMA (Bunda, Chancellor, and Polytechnic).
2. Prior to the one week training responsibilities will include data preparation for the training and creating training exercises.
3. During the post training period, the TA will assist in the development of a GIS/environmental monitoring curriculum within UNIMA and research initiatives amongst faculty that could utilize GIS/environmental monitoring.
4. The TA will be involved in activities towards creating national capacity in environmental monitoring/environmental information systems especially as related to UNIMA's involvement.

   The TA will promote the integration of these research initiatives with the broader Malawi Environmental Information System and help facilitate the involvement of UNIMA in the Shire situation analysis.

5. When appropriate, the TA will continue to facilitate with participating agencies related to continuing GIS development, either for MEMP or as required by the agency.
6. When permitting, the TA will consult on other matters related to MEMP as identified by either the in country Chief of Party or Project Manager/Clark University.

The TA will report directly to the in country Chief of Party and will submit weekly updates to both the Chief of Party, Project Manager/Clark University, and in-country coordinator. The anticipated in-country stay will be 30-45 days, work permitting, and will be evaluated on a weekly basis in consultation with the Chief of Party, Project Manager/Clark University, and in-country Coordinator. At the conclusion of the visit, the TA will provide a draft report/log on work completed, findings and recommendations on future environmental monitoring/GIS curriculum

development at UNIMA and on integrating UNIMA research initiatives in environmental monitoring/environmental information systems activities. This information will be combined in a report by the in-country Coordinator.

A major focus of MEMP II continues to be the development of environmental monitoring capacities within the Government of Malawi (GOM). During MEMP II this focus has been extended to include the University of Malawi (UNIMA). Planned activities from June to August 1997 intend to continue this development with both the GOM and UNIMA.

Specifically, three initiatives are planned during this time period: continued GIS training; development of prototype EIS; and linking UNIMA to the MEMP. An advanced GIS training is planned for June 17th to 21st, 1997 with UNIMA and GOM. Following the training, a number of follow-up activities will be conducted on integrating government agencies and university departments into the broader study on environmental monitoring of the Shire River watershed: the site for the development of the prototype EIS. The study will concentrate on assembling information on land cove change, soil erosion vulnerability, and socio-economic indicators. A meeting with the Department of Surveys is also planned in order to create initial national standards and guidelines in working with GIS and Remote Sensing data. Additional activities with UNIMA will move to create a national curriculum in environmental monitoring/GIS and related technologies. Finally, initial steps will be taken with the GOM during workshops and trainings to begin development of the prototype EIS. The role of the principle investigator/ technical advisor will be to contribute to each of these activities as detailed below:

1. Work on the one week advanced training in GIS and Image Processing. Departments that will be involved in the training include the Department of Surveys, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Meteorology, and UNIMA (Bunda, Chancellor, and Polytechnic).
2. Work with the Department of Surveys to help create a number of national standards and guidelines in working with GIS and Remote Sensing data.
3. Give recommendations and guidelines towards analyzing land cover changes and soil erosion modeling in the Shire situation analysis.
4. Be involved in activities towards creating national capacity in environmental monitoring/environmental information systems including giving guidance to the Malawi Technical Committee on the Environment, subcommittee on the Shire situation analysis, government agencies and UNIMA.

5. When permitting, consult on other matters related to MEMP.

The anticipated in-country stay will be 24 days, work permitting. At the conclusion of the visit, the TA will provide a log/summary of work completed, findings and recommendations for future environmental information systems/environmental monitoring activities; guidelines and standards to be used in the Department of Surveys in working with GIS and remote sensing data;

recommendations on creating a national curriculum in environmental monitoring in UNIMA; and future GIS/training activities. This information will be combined in a report by the in-country Coordinator. The principle investigator/technical advisor will consult and work closely with the Chief of Party, Program Manager/Clark University and in-country Coordinator on future activities.

A major focus of MEMP II continues to be the development of environmental monitoring capacities within the Government of Malawi (GOM). During MEMP II this focus has been extended to include the University of Malawi (UNIMA). Planned activities from June to August 1997 intend to continue this development with both the GOM and UNIMA.

Specifically, three initiatives are planned during this time period: continued GIS training; development of prototype EIS; and linking UNIMA to the MEMP. An advanced GIS training is planned for June 17th to 21st, 1997 with UNIMA and GOM. Following the training, a number of follow-up activities will be conducted on integrating government agencies and university departments into the broader study on environmental monitoring of the Shire River watershed: the site for the development of the prototype EIS. The study will concentrate on assembling information on land cover change, soil erosion vulnerability, and socio-economic indicators. A meeting with the Department of Surveys is also planned in order to create initial national standards and guidelines in working with GIS and Remote Sensing data.

Additional activities with UNIMA will move to create a national curriculum in environmental monitoring/GIS and related technologies. Finally, initial steps will be taken with the GOM during workshops and trainings to begin development of the prototype EIS. The role of the Program Manger/technical advisor will be to contribute to each of these activities as detailed below:

1. The TA will be involved in activities towards creating national capacity in environmental monitoring/environmental information systems including giving guidance to the Malawi Technical Committee on the Environment, subcommittee on the Shire situation analysis, government agencies and UNIMA.
2. The TA will help give recommendations and guidelines towards analyzing land cover changes and soil erosion modeling in the Shire situation analysis.
3. When appropriate, the TA will continue to facilitate with participating agencies related to continuing GIS development, either for MEMP or as required by the agency. This may include giving a specialized training in digitizing to the Department of Surveys, Ministry of Agriculture, Bunda College, and other interested agencies.
4. . When permitting, the TA will consult on other matters related to MEMP as identified by the country Chief of Party.

The anticipated in-country stay will be 24 days, work permitting. The anticipated in-country stay will be 24 days, work permitting.

At the conclusion of the visit, the TA will provide a log/ summary of work completed, findings and recommendations for integrating government agencies and university departments into a national Environmental Information System; on guidelines in creating a national curriculum in environmental monitoring/GIS and related technologies in UNIMA; and on future GIS/training activities. This information will be combined in a report by the in-country Coordinator. The program manager/technical advisor will consult and work closely with the Chief of Party and in-country Coordinator on future activities.

Appendix 2

Members of the Clark University contingent of the EIS Design Team met with members of the Department of Surveys in Blantyre June 5-9, 1997 to discuss plans for an EIS and its implications for the work of Surveys in the development of a Digital Mapping Standard. Of particular concern was to establish some provisional recommendations for digital data development to be used during the first phase of the EIS plan during the Shire River assessment project. Persons present at the meeting included:

• Mr. Emmanuel Likombola Land Surveys
• Mr. Thompson Sumani Cartography
• Mr. Lovemore Mazonda Cartography
• Mr. Jeff Mzembe Photogrammetry
• Mr. Muwuso Chawinga Photogrammetry (Computer)
• Mr. Jackson Nakutepa Photogrammetry
• Ms. Mathilde Snel Clark University
• Dr. Ronald Eastman Clark University

In addition, the meeting was opened by Mr. Ambuje F. Tambala, the Surveyor General, with a pledge to assist the group in formalizing its recommendations. In addition, Mr. Greshan Gunda, Chief Staff Surveyor met with the group to review their work.

The meeting began with a general overview of an EIS, considering the following components:

• A. Definition of an EIS
• B. Components of an EIS
1. System Management Subsystem
2. Data Acquisition Subsystem
3. Information Use Subsystem
4. Human Resources Subsystem
5. Technical Resources Subsystem
6. Data Archive
• C. A National Mapping Programme
• D. Digitial Mapping Standard
1. Coding Standards
• - Entities
• - Representations
• - Attributes
• - Relationships
• - Geometrical
• - Topological
2. Accuracy Standards
• - Horizontal
• - Vertical
3. - Other Attributes
4. Documentation Standards
5. Transfer Standards
• E. The Malawian EIS Development Programme

Discussions were then held on a number of key elements for the formulation of a Digital Mapping Standard for Malawi, with the following recommendations:

A datum is a location-specific reference surface to which all measurements are reduced for locational referencing. Current topographic maps of Malawi are based on what is referred to as the "New Arc 1950" datum on most sheets. It is the understanding of Surveys that this is what is now known as the Arc 1960 datum. In addition, there is the possibility that older maps might exist on the Arc 1950 datum.

1. All digital data shall be developed using the Arc 1960 datum, and should refer to it by this name rather than the older name of "New Arc 1950".

2. The ellipsoid parameters of the Arc 1960 datum shall be understood to conform to current U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) and British Military Engineering (1971) figures:

ellipsoid : Clark 1880 (Modified)

major semi-axis (a) : 6378249.145

minor semi-axis (b) : 6356514.870

flattening (1/f) : 1/293.46500 (0.003407561)

Note that Land Surveyors Handbook of Malawi rounds semi-axis figures to the nearest metre, and expresses the flattening as 1/293.465.

3. The ellipsoid parameters for the older Arc 1950 datum are the same as those for Arc 1960.

4. In transforming between datums, the following Molodensky constants should be used:

Arc 1960 (provisional)

delta X : -160

delta Y : -6

delta Z : -302

Arc 1950

delta X : -161

delta Y : -73

delta Z : -317

The Arc 1960 constants are expressed as provisional as the constants are defined as "Mean for Kenya and Tanzania" in current USDOD tables. The EIS Design team will pursue the issue of more specific values for Malawi with USDOD as it is suspected that the use of these more general values may lead to errors in the range of 10-30 metres. This error is an estimate only, based on tests done by the group on errors attributable to using the general Southern African Arc 1950 constants versus the more specific values for Malawi for Arc 1950 (see the below).

The Arc 1950 values are specific to Malawi, as published by USDOD. Note that the more general figures for all of southern Africa should not be used as tests conducted by the group indicated that these will lead to a typical error of 30-35 metres.

5. In using GPS equipment, datum transformation parameters should be set in conformance with the setting determined above. i.e.:

Arc 1960 (provisional)

major semi-axis (a) : 6378249.145

flattening (1/f) : 0.003407561

delta X : -160

delta Y : -6

delta Z : -302

Arc 1950

major semi-axis (a) : 6378249.145

flattening (1/f) : 0.003407561

delta X : -161

delta Y : -73

delta Z : -317

In cases where there is uncertainty about the values that are used by the GPS unit, data should be collected using the WGS84 datum, and then converted using a GIS where specific parameters can be set (e.g., IDRISI). Note that WGS84 values should never be used directly as tests by the group indicate that they lead to a typical error of 200-225 metres.

Railways --> Trig

|--> Shire Valley

National Datum

list sheet by sheet which datum is in use and adjustment factor to be used.

It is proposed that two reference systems shall be used for digital data: one for general purpose applications consistent with the UTM Zone 36 used for topographic mapping, and the second for municipal and local government applications.

The MalawiGP reference system is identical to the UTM Zone 36 system used for topographic mapping by Surveys. Its characteristics are as follows:

Projection : Transverse Mercator

Datum : Arc 1960

Central Meridian : 33º

Scale Factor at CM33 : 0.9996

Maximum Error : 1/2500

Longitude of True Origin : 33º

Latitude of True Origin : 0º

False Easting at Origin : 500,000 m E

False Northing at Origin : 10,000,000 m N

Because of its error characteristics, this system should not be used for municipal applications. However, it is suitable for most applications involved with environmental monitoring and resource management.

The MalawiLG reference system is proposed as a new reference system, and has not been previously used for any mapping. The intention is to provide a system that will have error characteristics that do not exceed 1:10,000 for any part of the country. In addition, it is assumed that this system will be based on Class A geodetic control surveys (1:12,000). This is impossible to achieve for the whole country with a single system. Therefore a system has been designed with two zones : a northern zone to be referred to as MalawiLN and a southern zone to be referred to as MalawiLS. The division between the zones corresponds with the northern borders of Ntcheu and Mangochi districts. The characteristics of the zones are as follows:

MalawiLN

Projection : Transverse Mercator

Datum : Arc 1960

Central Meridian : 33º 48' (33.8º)

Scale Factor at CM33-48 : 0.9999

Maximum Error : 1/10,000

Longitude of True Origin : 33º 48' (33.8º)

Latitude of True Origin : -15º

False Easting at Origin : 150,000 m E

False Northing at Origin : 0 m N

MalawiLS

Projection : Transverse Mercator

Datum : Arc 1960

Central Meridian : 35º

Scale Factor at CM33-48 : 0.9999

Maximum Error : 1/10,000

Longitude of True Origin : 35º

Latitude of True Origin : -18º

False Easting at Origin : 100,000 m E

False Northing at Origin : 0 m N

The group conducted tests for these zones to determine the minimum, maximum and mean scale factors associated with each district. The tests were conducted with the IDRISI GIS software system for each 1' quadrangle within each district. Thus the values are geographically specific, with the mean figures being areally representative.

Several older reference systems have been used and are considered obsolete for the purpose of digital mapping. These include the following systems in use prior to 1974:

Zone A 1960 : Central Meridian at 35º, Scale Factor Unknown

Zone A 1966 : Central Meridian at 35º, Scale Factor Unknown

Zone B : Central Meridian at 33º, Scale Factor Unknown

Table 1: Scale Factors Associated with MalawiLN

Table 2 : Scale Factors Associated with MalawiLS

Sources of error:

1) Photocontrol

- based on 1km traverse at a Class B accuracy standard (1:8000)

- 1000m/8000m=0.125m max. error

- upon assuming a confidence at 3 standard deviations/standard error (at 99.9%),

therefore RMS=0.125/3 = 0.0417

2) Aero Triangulation

-0.2m @1:50,000

- therefore, RMS=0.2/3 = 0.0667

3) Plotting Error (Photogrammetry)

-instrument + operator + parallax characteristics

i) CP1

0.5mm=25 on ground, therefore RMS = 8.33m (needs verification, SD)

ii) Wild B8

0.35mm=17.5 m on ground, therefore RMS = 5.83m (needs verification, SD)

iii) Wild A8

0.2mm=10m on ground, therefore RMS = 3.33m (needs verification, SD)

4) Cartographic Production

i) Scribing = 0.25mm = 12.5m on ground, therefore RMS = 4.1667m

ii) Film positive = 0.1mm = 5m on ground, therefore RMS = 1.6667m (needs verification, Kieth)

iii) Paper copy = 1mm = 50m on ground, therefore RMS = 16.6667m (needs verification, Gopal and Goodchild)

5) Digitizing

i) points = 0.25mm = 12.5 on ground, therefore RMS = 4.1667m

ii) line tracing (point mode) = 0.25mm = 12.5m on ground, therefore RMS = 4.1667m

iii) line tracing (stream mode) = 1mm = 50m on ground, therefore RMS = 16.667m

Examples in calculating max. error:

a) Digitizing line tracing (stream mode) from paper print and production using the CP1 (worst scenario)

Total RMS = sqrt ((sum of RMS~2)

Total RMS = sqrt ((0.417)~2+(.0667)~2+(8.33)~2+(4.1667)~2+(16.6667)~2+(16.6667)~2)

on ground: Total RMS = 25.4m

on 1:50,000 map: Total RMS = 25.4m/50,000 = .000508 * 3se = 0.001524 max. error

(ie. 1.5mm)

where se = standard error

b) Photogrametric output connected to the Wild A8 (best scenario)

Total RMS = sqrt ((0.0417)~2+(.0667)~2+(3.33)~2)

on ground: Total RMS = 3.33m

on 1:50,000 map: Total RMS = 3.33m/50,000 = .00006618 * 3se = .000199855 max. error

(ie. 2mm)

Digital map tiles are the equivalent to map sheets -- a logical segmentation of the land surface into manageable chunks. It is proposed that this tiling be made consistent with the sheet lines of the new metric sheets of the 1:50,000 topographic series. The reason for this is that the older imperial sheets are based on quadrangles bordered by meridians and parallels which do no match with the UTM reference system. By using the new metric sheet lines, it will be possible to concatenate digital map sets directly to create larger map sheets.

The tiles of this proposed system will each be 25 kilometres in extent in both the northerly and easterly directions in keeping with the dimensions of the metric sheets. Each of these tiles will constitute a separate layer for distribution purposes. Some of the paper map sheets combine more than tile where the tiles are only partially covered by the country. In cases such as this, each of the true underlying tiles should be developed in full, with the tiles being collected together for distribution. For example, if one were to order a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for a map sheet that contains two tiles, the distribution medium (e.g., CD) will contain two data sets -- a separate one for each tile. The user can then concatenate them to produce the equivalent map sheet. The number of such irregular map sheets is small. In constructing file names for these tiles, the 1:50,000 index codes should appear in the name (e.g. X5025RDS for the roads layer for sheet X5025).

Vector layers within a tile should use the appropriate reference system in use (e.g., MalawiGP). In the case of raster layers, however, special georeferencing procedures should be used. It is vital that raster grids align exactly with tile boundaries. The reference point for each cell will be the lower-left corner (and not the center). In addition, the reference cell for each raster layer will be the lower-left cell, with the lower-left edge of the cell being coincident with the lower-left edge of the tile. Similarly, the upper-right edge of the upper-right cell must be coincident with the upper-right edge of the tile. In cases of partially filled tiles (because the border of the country intersects the tile), the tile should be fully populated with cells and padded with a flag value that should be clearly indicated in the documentation. Flag values must be unambiguous and not coincide with a valid data value. To reduce data volume with partial tiles, an approved run-length encoding scheme may be used (see the section on Data Transfer Formats below).

There are no restrictions on the resolutions of raster layers, although a preferred resolution is specified for each major scale group. For example, the following guidelines can be used for layers compatible with the 1:50,000 topographic series:

10 metre resolution (e.g., SPOT Panchromatic) 2500 cells in X and Y

20 metre resolution (e.g., SPOT Multispectral) 1250 cells in X and Y (preferred resolution)

30.012 metre resolution (approx. Landsat TM) 833 cells in X and Y

79.114 metre resolution (approx. Landsat MSS) 316 cells in X and Y

Archiving and distribution of data shall be according to one of the following approved formats:

Level 0 :

Provider-specific formats that do not conform to tile boundaries and approved reference systems, carefully documented with an approved metadata file. This format may seem self-defeating. However, it is intended for use only for the archiving of original data sets where it is thought that these might be of use at a later date. The primary example of this is remotely sensed imagery.

Level 1 :

Provider-specific formats that do conform to tile boundaries and approved reference systems, carefully documented with an approved metadata file. This is intended only for interim use while the level 2 Malawi Spatial Data Transfer Format is used development and testing, and for working data. Examples here would include Arc/Info coverages and IDRISI images that have been georeferenced to approved reference systems and tile boundaries.

Level 2 :

Malawi Spatial Data Transfer Format (under development)

Vector :

Raster :

Raster images should be stored as "flat raster images" -- i.e., as a data stream ordered in normal raster order from left to right and top to bottom. Thus the first cell is the upper-left cell of the tile. Supported data formats include the following structures in Intel-compatible format :

unsigned 8-bit

signed 16-bit

unsigned 16-bit

signed 32-bit

IEEE 32 bit floating point

In addition to these formats, run-length encoding may be used as a compression scheme for all integer formats. In all cases, the run-length coding scheme to be used to consist of a pair of values for each run of the same data type, with the first value indicating the run and the second indicating the attribute. Thus, for example, a run-length encoded unsigned 8-bit raster image would consist of 2 bytes for each run -- the first indicating the length of the run, and the second indicating the attribute value. Runs should be aligned with the right-hand edge of the tile.

Test Notes:

General Arc1950 to Malawi Arc 1950 24.6 m X, 23.6 m Y = 34.1 m difference

General Arc1950 to Arc 1960 80.5 m X, 02.3 m Y = 80.5 m difference

Arc1960 to WGS84 85.6 m X, 205.9 m Y = 223.0 m difference

Arc60 modified to Arc60 original 0 m in X, 0.10 m Y = 0.1 m difference

Please see PDF Document for formatted table.

Appendix 3

Please see PDF Document for formatted table.

Please see PDF Document for formatted table.

Appendix 5

Welcome and Introduction

• Day 1:

  Time series/ land cover change analysis:

  Lab: Qualitative change analysis

  Lab: Quantitative change analysis

  Lab: Multiple image analysis

  Lab: Time series analysis

• Day 2:

  Relating time series trends to socioeconomic changes in the Shire

  Lab: Overview of database workshop

  Lab: Analyzing and interpreting socioeconomic changes in the Shire

  Geodesy

• Day 3:

  Decision making

  Lab: Concepts of decision making procedures

  Lab: Case study

  Discussion: Decision making in the Malawi context

• Day 4:

  Modeling

  Lab: Modeling soil erosion potential using SLEMSA

  Lab: Modeling soil erosion hazard/vulnerability in the Shire

• Day 5:

  Demo: Use of 1km AVHRR data to access land cover

  - Unsupervised and supervised classification techniques

  Lab: Map production

Nick Haan

Clark University

Continuing his role as technical assistant on behalf of Clark University, Nick Haan conducted a variety of activities during his latest visit to Malawi from June 15-July 18, 1997. The nature of these activities was guided by the project work plan, and included: cofacilitating the advanced GIS course, promoting awareness and helping to organize curriculum development within UNIMA, analysis of the usefulness of 1 km satellite data for forest monitoring, field visits to examine the link between GIS analysis and social explanation, initial training of trainers for the future GIS courses, technical assistance to UNIMA faculty, assistance in coordinating GIS professional society, and assistance with the digitizing course.

Advanced Training (ID 6.1 in workplan)

Cofacilitated with Ron Eastman and Mathilde Snel the advanced GIS training course from June 17-June 21. The broad topics included change and time series analysis of NDVI data sets, decision making, and soil erosion modeling. Further details and outputs of this training can be found in Ms. Snel’s trip report. This advanced training completes a three part series for a single cohort of participants. Another series will begin in November with an introductory course. One difference will be that participants from previous courses will be mostly responsible to facilitation.

Awareness Building and Development of GIS Curriculum with UNIMA (ID 6.2 in workplan)

Conducted planning meetings with representatives from Polytechnic, Chancellor, and Bunda colleges to discuss GIS awareness promotion and curriculum development at each of the campuses. Learned of the current state of GIS instruction at each of the campuses, and planned a strategy unique for each campus as to the best way to develop a GIS curriculum. I visited each of the campuses and gave a promotional lecture to faculty and students. Each of the lectures was enthusiastically received, with an average of 50 people attending at each campus. Currently none of the campuses is teaching GIS, but there is tremendous interest on behalf of faculty, students, and administrators at each of the campuses. Given the varying states of curriculum development, available equipment, and faculty capacity, it will be difficult at this early stage to develop a GIS curriculum that will be coordinated across UNIMA. Each campus has its own unique set of circumstances that should be built upon in terms of GIS development. This is in keeping with the overall philosophy of the ecological approach that guides this technology transfer project.

After conducting meetings with each of the campuses administrators, we agreed that December would be an appropriate time to develop proposals for GIS curriculum development. This will be particularly effective because representatives from each of the campuses will have just finished facilitating the introductory GIS course in November.

Training of Trainers for November GIS Course (ID 6.1)

Coordinated representatives from each of the campuses to facilitate the upcoming introductory course in November. Each of the representatives will help select up to four participants from their campus to attend the November course. Names of these nominations should be submitted to Kent Burger no later than the end of August. Agreed upon criteria for nominations include: exposure to computers, prioritizing departments that could eventually teach GIS, commitment to attend all 3 training sessions, and willingness to eventually teach GIS.

We reviewed the future course syllabus and identified sessions that each of the future trainers will facilitate. Over 75% of the introductory course will be taught by past participants.

Analysis of 1 km Satellite Imagery (ID 4.3)

The Fisheries Dept. in Salima has access to daily satellite imagery at 1 km resolution. Given the frequency and potentially low cost nature of this data, examination of its usefulness for forest monitoring was important. In brief, Ron Eastman and I utilized the latest developments in image classification called soft classifiers to effectively conduct sub-pixel aerial assessments of vegetation cover. These results were compared with high resolution SPOT data (20 meters), and thus far seem very promising, with very similar aerial assessments of forest cover. These results require further ground truthing and investigation, and could be very important given the very high cost of high resolution data.

Initial Field Visits in the Shire Valley

Sam Chilombe and Nick Haan visited two areas within the Shire that the remote sensing analysis detected as changing rapidly within the past 10 years. The first visit was to Neno, and the second to Mulanje Mountain. Each of the visits involved local agricultural and forestry extension officers, and attempted to learn from local farmers the causes of the changes detected from satellite imagery. In each case it is quite apparent that there is a complex chain of social explanation starting from the immediate causes of change (e.g. conversion of forest to agriculture) to the more root causes (e.g. changes in land tenure, migration patterns, and rural economy). To understand the complexity of these social explanations, and ultimately lead to informing government policies, will require extended field visits and a well developed research methodology.

Technical Assistance to UNIMA Faculty (ID 6.3)

During each of the visits to UNIMA campuses, Mr. Haan advised interested faculty on the use of GIS for their particular research interests. The most intensive assistance was to Meya Kalindecafe at Chancellor College, with regards to her research on resource management of the Lake Chilwa watershed. NDVI time series and land cover change analysis was conducted for the watershed, and will be used for both her research and as examples of GIS analysis for future classes that she will teach.

Held coordinating meetings with members of UNIMA to discuss the development of a Malawi GIS professional society. The participants agreed upon a strategy for the development of the society, which will include drafting a constitution, gathering information about other professional societies in Malawi, and informing interested persons throughout Malawi of our intentions. In November we will hold another planning meeting and review the draft constitution before seeking official recognition from the government of Malawi.

In addition to these activities, Mr. Haan began development of ideas for situating social analysis into the Shire Watershed Investigation. Extended field visits will begin in November in priority sites determined by the Shire Valley Task Force. The problem statement that guides the need for this type of research is as follows:

Efforts to identify causes of environmental problems often focus on the physical or immediate causes (e.g. Green, 1996) which is not adequate for government policy and intervention strategies that seek to have both short and long term effects, especially with regards to maintaining livelihoods of peasant farmers.

There are two goals of this research initiative:

1) To develop an action oriented, community based social research methodology that is replicable by the Government of Malawi and linked to environmental problems identified by geographic and physical analysis.

2) Specifically for the sedimentation problem identified in the Shire watershed, to illustrate a chain of social explanation that spans from immediate to root causes of land use changes so as to advise the GOM on potential scenarios of intervention and their respective anticipated impacts and limitations.

Nick Haan’s next visit to Malawi is planned for late October to mid December. During that time he will follow up on initiatives mentioned in this report including: conducting field research on social explanations of change in priority communities of the Shire River Valley, further organizing the GIS professional society, facilitating both a training of trainers and the introductory GIS course, further investigating the usefulness and interpretation of various scales of satellite imagery, and providing further support for UNIMA GIS curriculum.

Increasingly it is being recognized by the Government of Malawi and Malawian public at large that sedimentation in the Shire is causing problems of national magnitude including but not limited to contributing to an instable energy supply at the Kapichila and Tedzani and Nkulu Falls hydrolectric dam, affecting the livelihoods of farmers, and affecting a regular irrigation flow at SUCOMA. It is with regards to such heightened national concern that the Malawian Environmental Monitoring Programme, a programme under the Department of Environmental Affairs formally known as the Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs (MOREA), has embarked on a situation analysis concerning the sedimentation of the Shire River.

The situation analysis will be designed to develop a replicable methodology that may be used in future environmental analyses, monitoring, and state of the environment reporting by emphasizing the use of readily available in-country data, by building capacity within Malawian institutions in environmental analysis and state of the environment reporting, and in establishing national data collection and archiving standards to facilitate the use of similar data in future environmental analyses. This study will build on Green’s report (1996) and: 1) emphasize the value of geographic technologies to help situate a problem of national concern and 2) provide explanations of the underlying causes of environmental degradation and possible mitigation strategies.

As a long term objective the situation analysis will be instrumental towards the development of national capacity for the monitoring, management, and reporting of issues on the environment and will form the basis of a prototype Environmental Information System, a "technical and institutional structure that produces and uses environmental information for environmental management and decision making" (EIS design team, 1997). The development of the prototype EIS will emphasize: the participation of agencies and individuals at all levels from the national to community; the need for institutional links between and among agencies and communities; and the need to transgress between and among different geographic and temporal scales in analyzing environmental issues.

Due to the magnitude of the sedimentation problem in the Shire, the situation analysis will specifically investigate soil erosion hazard and land cover changes in the Shire river valley. Furthermore, the situation analysis will place particular, though not exclusive, emphasis on the Blantyre and Machinga ADDs - areas considered by policy makers of importance. This situation analysis will address a number of questions pertaining to soil erosion and landcover/use change:1) where are significant landcover/use changes occurring in the Shire river valley?; 2) what is the geographic distribution of soil erosion hazard in the Shire (given coarse information on slopes, landcover, soils, and qualitative information)?; 3) what are potential areas of intervention in the Shire?; 4) does land cover change influence soil erosion potential?; 5) what are the underlying causes of landcover/use change and soil erosion?; 6) what are possible intervention strategies and their anticipated impacts?; and time permitting 7) to what extent does landcover/use changes influence sedimentation?

Appendix 9

In April 1997 an EIS Design Team met to discuss a strategy towards developing an Environmental Information System for Malawi (EIS Design Team, 1997). The team proposed a learning approach in the development of a functioning EIS by conducting an situation analysis of national to regional concern - the sedimentation of the Shire river. The situation analysis will be used towards the development of national capacity in environmental analysis, monitoring, and reporting where three fundamental steps were proposed: 1) an assessment of increased sedimentation in the Shire and recommendations for solutions, 2) the creation of a prototype EIS based on the experiences of the Shire assessment; and 3) the creation of a national EIS based on the experiences of the pilot EIS. The team proposed that in the initial assessment of sedimentation in the Shire three teams should be active: an information dissemination team responsible for ensuring participation throughout the EIS (e.g. by organizing workshops and outreach materials); an analysis team to collect and collate data on sedimentation in the Shire; and a technical steering team to provide guidance and expertise throughout the process. It was further proposed that the information dissemination and analysis teams would be headed by a principle investigator selected from the Government of Malawi (GOM) or University of Malawi (UNIMA).

Provisions are presently being made to select a principle investigator and to formally identify the analysis and information dissemination teams. This paper will build on the Strategy of an Environmental Information System in Malawi (EIS design team,1997) and the Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme: Environmental Monitoring Technologies, Research, and Policy Sub-programmes (MoREA, 1997) to help provide recommendations towards refining the objective of and technical strategy for the prototype EIS. In the absence of a principle investigator, Mathilde Snel of Clark University and Twanga Mbale or the Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs (MoREA) met to review and refine the development of the prototype Environmental Information System (EIS). Furthermore, Nicholas Haan, James Toledano, and Mathilde Snel of Clark University had a number of discussions relating to recommendations on refining the strategy of the prototype EIS. The discussions were specially geared towards providing recommendations to the principle investigator, analysis team, and information dissemination team once these have been formally identified. Discussion were focused on avoiding ambiguities in the development of the prototype EIS. This paper is a draft and the recommendations within it should be discussed more formally once the principle investigator, analysis teams, and information team have been formally identified.

Presently there is a concern within MoREA and line GOM agencies that there is insufficient capacity to conduct environment monitoring, analysis, and reporting. The main objective of the development of a prototype EIS as stated in the Strategy of an Environmental Information System in Malawi (EIS design team, 1997) and the Second Annual Workplan Strategy (MoREA, 1997) is the development of a "technical and institutional structure that produces and uses environmental information for environmental management and decision making" (EIS design team, 1997). An situation analysis into an issue of national to regional concern - the sedimentation of the Shire river - will be used in the development of national capacity in environmental analysis, monitoring, and reporting. The development of a prototype EIS will be designed to create a replicable methodology that may be used in future environmental analyses, monitoring, and state of the environment reporting by emphasizing the use of readily available in-country data, by building capacity within Malawian institutions in environmental analysis and state of the environment reporting, in establishing national data collection and archiving standards to facilitate the use of similar data in future environmental analyses, and in facilitating critical links between information providers and users. It is recommended that this situation analysis build on Prevost and Gilruth’s report (1997) on Environmental Information Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and recommend specific guidelines for the development of a demand driven EIS.

It is critical in the development of a demand-driven EIS that a problem is addressed of concern to information users - from national policy makers to community members. Increasingly it is being recognized by the Government of Malawi and Malawi public at large that sedimentation in the Shire is causing problems of national magnitude including but not limited to contributing to an instable energy supply at the Kapichila and Tedzani and Nkula Falls hydroelectric dam, affecting the livelihoods of farmers, and affecting irrigation flows at the SUCOMA sugarcane plantations (sources...). Such concerns have contributed to a demand for information on the causes of sedimentation stemming from determining which areas are most prone to soil erosion, to which areas are experiencing significant landcover/use changes, to evaluating the influences of water flow on sedimentation.

It was in the Second Annual Workplan Strategy (MoREA, 1997) determined that this situation analysis will specifically investigate sedimentation of the Shire with respect to soil erosion hazard and land cover changes in the Shire river valley rather than conduct an extensive analysis on all causes of sedimentation (e.g. water flow) (MoREA, 1997). The situation analysis will build on Green’s report (1996) and will emphasize the effectively of: 1) geographic technologies - such as the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)- to help situate a problem particularly with regard to the reporting of recent environmental changes and 2) the use of rural appraisals to provide explanations of the underlying causes of environmental change and policy intervention scenarios. It is recommended that the situation analysis will concentrate on addressing the demand for information on: 1) where are significant landcover/use changes occurring in the Shire river valley?; 2) what is the geographic distribution of soil erosion hazard in the Shire?; 3) what are potential areas of intervention with respect to landcover/use change and soil erosion potential in the Shire?; 4) does land cover change influence soil erosion potential?; 5) what are the underlying social, economic, and political circumstances contributing to land degradation in the Shire?; 6) what are possible intervention strategies and their anticipated impacts?; and time permitting 7) to what extent does landcover/use changes influence sedimentation?. As indicated in the Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme: Environmental Monitoring Technologies, Research, and Policy Sub-programmes (MoREA, April 1997) the situation analysis will place an emphasis, though not exclusive, on the mid-Shire - the Blantyre and Machinga ADDs - areas considered to be of importance (MoREA, 1997). The problem statement and objective of the situation analysis on sedimentation in the Shire then is recommended to be as follows:

Heightened national and regional concern on the effects of sedimentation from contributing to an instable energy supply at the Kapira, Tedzani, and Nkula Falls hydroelectric dam, affecting the livelihoods of farmers, to affecting the irrigation flow at SUCOMA sugarcane plantation.

This situation analysis will report on sedimentation of the Shire river valley with respect to soil erosion hazard and land cover changes in the Shire river valley rather than conduct and extensive analysis on all causes of sedimentation. Furthermore, this situation analysis will place particular, though not exclusive, emphasis on the Blantyre and Machinga ADDs - areas considered by policy makers to be of importance (MoREA, 1997).

The objective of the Shire situation analysis is to provide information- needed by information users - relating to sedimentation in the Shire. Due to a significant demand for information on sedimentation in the Shire with regard to landcover/use change and soil erosion potential, the situation analysis will address the following questions: 1) where are significant landcover/use changes occurring in the Shire river valley?; 2) what is the geographic distribution of soil erosion hazard in the Shire (given coarse information on slopes, landcover, soils, and qualitative information)?; 3) what are potential areas of intervention in the Shire?; 4) does land cover change influence soil erosion potential?; 5) what are the underlying causes of landcover/use change and soil erosion?; 6) what are possible intervention strategies and their anticipated impacts?; and time permitting 7) to what extent does landcover/use changes influence sedimentation?.

An emphasis in the development of the prototype EIS will be to provide a replicable methodology that may be used in future environmental analyses, monitoring, and state of the environment reporting. The methodology will focus on using readily available in-country data, building capacity within Malawian institutions in environmental analysis and state of the environment reporting, establishing national data collection and archiving standards to facilitate the use of similar data in future environmental analyses, and facilitating critical links between information providers and users. The methodology will seek to strike a balance between the short term needs of the prototype EIS situation analysis on sedimentation of the Shire and the long term goal in creating capacity towards developing a national EIS. Upon building on the Strategy for an Environmental Information System (EIS design team, 1997) and the Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme: Environmental Monitoring Technologies, Research, and Policy Sub-programmes (MoREA, April 1997) it is recommended that the Shire assessment continue to refine its situation analysis on: 1) identifying information providers and users; 2) linking information users and providers; 3)creating continued awareness of the Shire situation analysis; 4) conducting an inventory of existing data; 5) using geographic technologies to help situate the issue of landcover/use change and soil erosion potential in the Shire; 6) identifying technical expertise and setup to conduct geographic analysis and allocating tasks 7) using community based assessment to identify the underlying social, economic, and political circumstances contributing to environmental degradation in the Shire; 8) providing information to information users; and 9) time permitting, conducting an biophysical assessment on the relationship between landcover/use change and sedimentation.

Upon building on the Strategy for an Environmental Information System (EIS design team, 1997) and the Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme: Environmental Monitoring Technologies, Research, and Policy Sub-programmes (MoREA, April 1997) information providers should be from the major resource management agencies (e.g. Forestry, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Surveys, MoREA), private agencies (e.g. ESCOM, SUCOMA), non-government agencies (e.g CURE), communities (e.g. farmers), and UNIMA. Major resource management agencies would be instrumental in providing information on, for example, land cover change and soil erosion potential in the mid-Shire; private agencies such as ESCOM may provide information on, for example, energy use; non-government agencies may provide information on helping identify areas of intervention; communities may provide information on the underlying social, economic, and political circumstances leading to environmental degradation (Haan 1997); while UNIMA may supply information on references relating to environmental degradation in the Shire. Information users may include GOM, donors, non-government agencies, private agencies (e.g. ESCOM and SUCOMA), community members, and other stakeholders interested in and/or affected by sedimentation in the Shire. The information users may, for example, use the prototype EIS information to help direct their work on soil conservation and help allocate afforestation and soil conservation funds.

It is recommended that once the principle investigator, analysis team, and information dissemination team have been formally identified that a workshop with information users and providers is organized. It is recommended that the workshop is held to refine the strategy of the Shire situation analysis and to show preliminary information relating to sedimentation in the Shire. It is recommended that the presentation of the preliminary baseline information is used to further direct the prototype EIS towards more specific information requests (e.g. to direct analysis to specific areas of intervention of interest to information users).

As indicated in the Strategy for an Environmental Information System in Malawi (April 1997) the information dissemination team will be involved in creating a series of outreach materials, radio broadcasts, press releases, and workshops in anticipation of both informing known information users and targeting potential information users on the Shire situation analysis. It is further recommended that the coordinating agency (MoREA) and principle investigator conduct interviews with potential information users throughout the Shire situation analysis. In a recent interview (Khaguza and Metoseni, 1997), for example, it was realized that the Shire situation analysis would help agricultural extension officers identify Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) in need of soil conservation (presently there was concern among agricultural extension officers that the Famine Early Warning vulnerability index - that they are proposing to use to select EPAs in need of soil conservation - too heavily emphasizes indicators on famine and not on soil erosion potential). Such efforts are critical so that the EIS goals stay fully connected to the community of information users.

As indicated in the Strategy for an environmental information system in Malawi, an inventory and collection of information on the biophysical (e.g. siltation, landcover, soil erosion), socio-economic (e.g. energy use) and political (e.g. land tenure and legal documents) references relating to sedimentation in the Shire will need to be gathered. MoREA is in the process of evaluating reports, projects, and other data that might be of use to the Shire situation analysis. Reports such as Green’s report on the Study to Identify Sources of Siltation in the Middle Shire River Catchment Area (Green 1996) and other references regarding siltation of the hydroelectric dam, soil erosion affects on the livelihoods of farmers, and land use laws and practices will need to be compiled. MoREA with the assistance of Clark University and University of Arizona are also in the process of compiling geographic information of relevance to the Shire situation analysis - satellite images and existing digital files on rivers, roads, district boundaries and elevation model have been gathered for the Shire.

To strike a balance between the short term needs of the prototype EIS on sedimentation in the Shire and the long term investment of creating national capacity towards developing a national EIS, emphasis will need to be placed throughout the situation analysis on appropriately archiving existing data. Furthermore, attention will need to be placed on establishing links with the information providers of updated environmental data (e.g. 1km, 3km, and 11km AVHRR data). Already efforts are being facilitated for the access of 3km and 1km AVHRR data to GOM - data respectively gathered by the Meteorological Department Headquarters in Harare and Department of Fisheries unit in Salima (Snel et al, 1997).

Since the development of the prototype EIS will require the extensive collection and use of geographic data, it is important that data standards for digital mapping are established. Dr. Ron Eastman and Mathilde Snel met with members of the Department of Surveys in Blantyre from June 5-9, 1997 to discuss the development of digital mapping standards. Recommendations for digital mapping standards were made and include standards on georeferencing (e.g. geodetic, projection, entity, representation, attribute, relationship, geometrical, and topological), map accuracy, and meta-data/documentation. Discussions were held on creating a digital map data storage and distribution format and medium. The digital mapping standards as recommended in the draft report (Department of Surveys, 1997) is being used as the provisional data standard throughout the compilation of digital geographic data in this prototype EIS.

Due to the demand for baseline information on landcover/use change and soil erosion potential for the entire Shire, it was determined in the Strategy for an Envionmental Information System (EIS design team, 1997) and the Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme: Environmental Monitoring Technologies, Research, and Policy Sub-programmes (MoREA, April 1997) that information initially gathered during the GIS and remote sensing analyses will emphasize: 1) landcover/use changes in the Shire (although, with an emphasis on the mid-Shire valley - the Blantyre and Machinga ADDs), 2) soil erosion potential in the mid-Shire (based on coarse slope, rainfall, landcover, and soil data); and 3) selected socio-economic indicators (e.g. population and agricultural change of select crops). The following outputs were identified:

a. Land cover change with respect to AVHRR ndvi data, based off 7.6 AVHRR data

b. Land cover based off the Landsat 1994 image (Blantyre and Machinga ADDs)

c. Land cover based off Landsat 1984 image (Blantyre and Machinga ADDs)

d. Land cover change based on 1994 and 1984 (Blantyre and Machinga ADDs)

* e. Land cover of the Shire watershed based off 7 km data

* f. Slope map for the Shire watershed (based off 1km data)

* g. Rainfall map for the Shire watershed

h. Soil map (Blantyre and Machinga ADDs)

i. Soil erosion hazard map of the mid-Shire (based on 1km data on landcover/use, slope, soil, and rainfall)

*j. watershed boundaries map (based off 1km data)

*k. Agricultural data (based off FEWs data) by EPA

*l. NDVI change data by district, EPA, and micro watersheds in the Shire .

*m. Population data (based off FEWs) by EPA.

*n. Energy supply data (based off FEWs) by EPA

It is further recommended that once selected baseline information is collected (e.g. as indicated by outputs with asterixes), that a workshop between information users and providers is conducted to help further identify information needs within specified areas of intervention. The workshop would focus on using a combination of geographic, anecdotal information, and existing reports (e.g. Green 1996) to help identify specific areas of intervention. It is recommended, time permitting, that GIS and remote sensing analyzes are conducted in 1 to 2 selected areas of intervention towards providing more detailed information on soil erosion potential and landcover/use change. Outputs may include:

n. Contour map in 1 to 2 areas of intervention (based off 1:50,000)

o. More detailed landcover/use map in 1 to 2 areas of intervention

p. Soil erosion hazard map of 1 to 2 areas of intervention

To ensure the long term investment of creating national capacity in developing an EIS, digital geographic data sets compiled throughout the situation analysis will be created with respect to the provisional data standards as drafted by the Department of Surveys (Department of Surveys, 1997).

An important part of using geographic technologies in the development of any EIS is to provide the appropriate technical expertise and setup. Clark University has been involved in providing such technical expertise and setup over the past four years under the first phase of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme. After three sequences of trainings (each sequence consisting of an introductory, intermediate, and advanced course) and after the allocation of hardware and software to participating GOM and UNIMA departments, a pool of skilled individuals and a facilitating setup is available in country towards conducting such geographic analyzes.

In conducting geographic analysis in the Shire it is important to identify which Ministry will benefit most from the capacity built during the Shire situation analysis. It was determined that the Department of Forestry and Ministry of Agriculture would benefit most from conducting landcover/use change analysis, that the Meteorological department would benefit most from evaluating geographic variations in rainfall and ndvi/agricultural (to help on their future work in drought analysis), and that the Department of Surveys would benefit from the digitizing of required base maps (e.g. soils maps) and georeferencing of satellite images according to map standard. Furthermore, it was identified that all participants and the coordinating body, MoREA, should be involved in the integration of data (e.g. in creating a soil erosion potential model for the mid-Shire) after data has been gathering data in the respective ministries. A time line and allocation of tasks was proposed as indicated in Appendix 1.

In making recommendation towards refining the purpose and methodology of the situation analysis of the Shire, acknowledgment was made of the importance of a social analysis to help identify the underlying causes of land cover change and soil erosion to provide policy recommendations towards mitigating environmental degradation (Haan, 1997). As proposed by Haan (1997) it is recommended that guidance is given to a group of Malawian social scientists in situating a social analysis for the Shire situation analysis (Appendix 2). The social analysis will be conducted in a number of areas of interventions identified by the information providers and users using a combination of information from the geographic analysis, existing reports (Green 1996), and anecdotal information. By incorporating an analysis in the Shire situation analysis on the social, economic, and political circumstances contributing to land degradation and by providing mitigation strategies, the prototype EIS will emphasize the need to stay fully connected with the demands of the community of information users ranging from national decision makers to community members.

Time permitting, it is hoped that soil erosion models specific to regional conditions may be created in 1 to 2 areas of intervention. Such soil erosion models would indicate the actual tons per hectares of estimated annual soil loss. The soil erosion model may be based off a new model specific to Malawi regional concerns or be modified with respect to an existing model such as the Soil Loss Equation for Southern Africa (SLEMSA). Furthermore, time permitting it is hoped that information on landcover change’s influence on sedimentation may be obtained. This will require obtaining information on sedimentation. Due to under staffing at the Department of Waters the lack of useable information on sedimentation is evident. MoREA has proposed to help assist the DOW and is looking into the possibility of obtaining a sediment sampler such that this information may be incorporated into the Shire situation analysis.

Once information has been compiled, a workshop will need to be organized where information will need to be presented in a usable format to policy makers, donors, farmers, and other stakeholders interested in and/or affected by sedimentation in the Shire. By encouraging the participation of both information providers and users throughout the Shire situation analysis, the information may be used towards mitigating further environmental degradation. Furthermore, the workshop may additionally provide a forum to funnel information demand for similar investigations in watersheds other than Shire. In such a manner, capacity may be build towards the development of a national EIS.

Department of Surveys, 1997. Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme; Technical Seminar on Environmental Information Systems. Draft Report and Recommendations. Blantyre, June 1997.

EIS Design Team, 1997. Strategy for an Environmental Information System in Malawi.

Green, R.I., V. Mkandawire, H. Kandaya, and M. Kapila, 1996. Study to Identify Sources of Siltation in the Middle Shire River Catchment Area. Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs.

Haan, 1997. Ideas for Situating Social Analysis into the Shire Watershed Situation analysis. Clark University.

Khaguza and Metoseni, 1997, personal interview, facilitated by Mathilde Snel.

MoREA, 1997. The Second Annual Workplan for the Components of the Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme: Environmental Monitoring Technologies, Research, and Policy Sub-Programmes.

Prevost, Y. and P. Gilruth, 1997. Towards Environmental Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Building Blocks for AFRICA 2025, Paper No. 12. Post-UNCED Series. Environmental Group (AFTE1), Africa Region of the Work Band and the Office to Combat Desertification and Drought, Sustainable Energy and Environmental Divisions, United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Snel, M, J. Toledano, N. Haan, and R. Eastman, 1997. Quarterly Report on Clark University Activities. Malawi Environmental Monitoring Programme, MoREA. July 1997.

Appendix 11

Mr. J. Mlotha

Mr. P. Jambo

Mr. G. Mzembe

Mr. J. Nakutepa

Mr. M. Chawinga

Mr. S. Chilombe

Mr. M. Kapila (Zomba)

Ms. T. Mbale (coordinating role)

Appendix 12

* Rainfall in the 1984-85 growing season

1994-95 growing season

1996-97 growing season

* Agricultural production for:

12 of the major crops (in Shire and Malawi)

hybrid maize 1991 - 1995

local maize 1991 - 1995

* Energy use:

% livelihood depending on sale of charcoal

% livelihood depending on sale of firewood

* Digitizing

roads off 1:250,000

rivers off 1:250,000

*NDVI profiles by EPA, district, and micro watershed

* Unsupervised classification (1984 and 1994 images)

* Georeferencing of 1984 and 1994 images

* Digitizing

soils (Blantyre and Machinga)