Exploring the use of PPGIS for mapping the distribution of Vitellaria Paradoxa (SHEA TREE).

Abstract

Vitalleria paradoxa is a tree of high economic and cultural value to the local communities of West Nile, Northern Uganda and Teso region where it is endemic in Uganda. The tree is however listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservation planning and intervention is hindered by inadequate data on the geographic distribution of the threatened tree. Commonly used traditional methods of mapping individual trees such as traversing are prohibitively costly and time consuming. This project sought to map the endangered tree species using a Public Participatory GIS approach. Accuracy performed in QGIS software showed that 62% of the trees mapped by PPGIS were within a range 0f ≤5 meters from their actual ground position.