These animal migrations show that the protected areas within the ecosystem are not adequate for the protection and viability of migratory wildlife species in the ecosystem and that what
happens in the adjoining group ranches have a direct influence on wildlife in the protected areas.
Although a few studies pertaining to wildlife population trends have been conducted in Masai
Mara [14,18,19], very little has been done to analyze land use/cover changes and the impact these
changes have on the Masai Mara Ecosystem. In addition, these studies have concentrated on wildlife
declines without considering the driving forces and thus do not provide sufficient insights into the
spatial temporal dynamics of these changes. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of land use/cover
changes and wildlife population dynamics that also considers the primary driving forces behind these
changes is needed in order to help in formulating a sustainable development policy for the ecosystem.
How has land use/cover changed in Masai Mara and what are the primary drivers of land use and
land cover changes? Are these changes responsible for the declining wildlife population? This study
analyzes the long term land use/cover changes and wildlife population trends in the Masai Mara
Ecosystem. It summarizes the changes in land use/cover, wildlife and livestock population dynamics,
and examines the factors potentially driving these changes. We also present a conceptual model to help
explain the interactions of the various factors influencing changes in the Masai Mara Ecosystem. This
study was accomplished by integrating multispectral remote sensing data and in-depth field studies
together with socio economic, demographic, wildlife data sets and existing research knowledge on the
Masai community’s way of life in the ecosystem.