Research Report Negowat Bolivia N° 1. Land Use Changes in the Valley Area of Tiquipaya Municipality

Abstract

This study treats the land use mapping in three years: 1983, 1992 and 2003. The study objective is to contribute with information to the discussion on the land use in the Tiquipaya municipality of Bolivia, promoting a participative atmosphere and agreement in the processes of decision making about the future land use. The results show the quick and lawless growth of the urban area against mainly the agricultural and livestock lands. Between 1983 and 2003, the area covered with urban infrastructure increased from 36 ha (1.1 %) in 1983, to 215 ha (6.8 %) in 1992, and to 564 ha (17.9 %) for 2003, meaning an increase of 529 ha in this period of 20 years. A process of reduction of the land use intensity has been developed at farming system level. The farming systems with medium land use intensity devoted to dairy cattle breeding are dominant; these farmers are specialized in the cultivation of corn, alfalfa and oat, leaving aside the cultivation of potato, bean and several vegetable species