TALES OF AN ALTERED EARTH
aERIAL AND fIELD aRCHIVES
Step into a world where stories take flight, literally! Each story is a snapshot captured from soaring heights and grounded observations. These tales are not just visual records but narratives of resilience, loss, and transformation. From the lush canopies of vegetation to the scars left by human impact, each perspective reveals a layer of the intricate relationship between nature and humanity.
Through the lens of a drone and the curiosity of a field observer, I aim to inspire awareness, spark conversations, and encourage action for a healthier planet.
polluted waters: the cost of illegal mining
UAV Imagery of the Anlo Beach in the Western Region of Ghana
Illegal mining, locally known as ''galamsey'', is one of the most pressing environmental crises in Ghana today, wreaking havoc on water bodies and the ecosystems that depend on them. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Western Region, where where the stories of two coastal communities: Anlo Beach and Ankobrah reveal the devastating toll, a once-thriving water body now tells a tale of loss and exploitation.
From above, the scale of the damage at Anlo Beach is staggering. The drone captures an expanse of murky, sediment-laden water. What should be a lifeline for local communities now serves as a haunting reminder of unchecked exploitation. The scars of galamsey extend beyond the water itself, spreading into the deforested banks and beach surrounding it. For the people of Anlo Beach, this water body was more than a natural resource; it was their lifeline. It provided fish for sustenance and clean water for their daily lives. Today, it stands as a haunting reminder of exploitation, leaving the community grappling with declining fish stocks, unsafe water, and increasing hardships.
Ankobrah River: A Dual Crises
Also, Ankobra River another coastal community, equally affected yet facing a unique challenge. The Ankobrah River, once a symbol of life and abundance, is now a reflection of pollution and destruction. Similar to Anlo Beach, the water here is heavily polluted by galamsey activities, its surface a murky blend of sediment and chemicals.
UAV Imagery of the Ankobrah community in the Western Region of Ghana
However, the Ankobrah River brings an additional threat. Beyond pollution, drone imagery captured during high tides reveals a troubling pattern: the polluted waters frequently overflow into the surrounding community, causing devastating floods. These floods are no longer rare, they have become a regular occurrence, forcing families to deal with contaminated water invading their homes and disrupting their lives. The floods exacerbate health risks, as entire households are exposed to polluted waters that bring diseases and sanitation challenges. The cascading effects of these floods leave the community in a constant cycle of recovery, with little reprieve in sight.
Far-Reaching Impacts: Beyond the Water’s Edge
Illegal mining’s impact extends beyond the water’s edge. Heavy metals and chemicals used in the mining process seep into the soil, rendering it infertile and unsuitable for farming. Communities downstream are left with no choice but to rely on expensive and often inadequate alternatives for clean water.
The broader implications are just as severe. The destruction of natural buffers like forests and wetlands accelerates the loss of biodiversity and exacerbates climate vulnerabilities. These ecosystems once played a critical role in mitigating flooding, stabilizing local climates, and supporting diverse flora and fauna. Their destruction leaves communities increasingly exposed to extreme weather events and environmental instability.
Yet, there is room for hope. Local communities, government agencies, and environmental organizations should push for restoration efforts, sustainable mining practices, and stricter enforcement of regulations. The challenges are immense, but so is the resilience of the people and ecosystems affected. This water body’s story is not just a tale of loss: it’s a call to action for preservation, restoration, and change.
Mangrove MARket: Balancing Livelihoods and Conservation in Keta Lagoon
The Keta Lagoon Ramsar Site, one of Ghana’s most significant wetlands, is a biodiversity sanctuary and a lifeline for the surrounding communities. Yet, beneath its beauty lies a sobering reality, overexploitation is pushing its critical ecosystems to the brink.
As part of an effort to assess the health of this Ramsar site, drone imagery, and on-the-ground fieldwork have revealed the extent of mangrove exploitation in the Anyanui and Salo communities and surrounding communities. These areas within the lagoon complex, rely heavily on the wetland's resources for their livelihoods. Mangroves, despite their ecological importance, are being overharvested at an alarming rate, threatening the delicate balance of this vital ecosystem.
UAV Imagery of the Mangrove Market in Anyanui at the Volta Region
From above, the drone captures striking visuals of large mangrove markets in Anyanui and Salo. Stacks of cut mangrove wood dominate the landscape, highlighting the scale of exploitation. For many locals, mangroves are a primary resource, serving as fuelwood, construction material, and a source of income.
Field assessments reveal the duality of the mangrove crisis. On one hand, these wetlands are a vital part of the communities' livelihoods, providing essential resources and supporting local economies. On the other, their overexploitation poses a long-term threat to both the environment and the people who depend on them. Fisherfolk, who rely on the lagoon's mangrove-lined waters for breeding fish, report declining catches as habitat loss accelerates. Meanwhile, the overharvesting of mangroves increases the communities' vulnerability to coastal erosion, flooding, and the impacts of climate change.
This highlights the need for balance, between the communities’ need for resources and the conservation of the mangroves that sustain them. Efforts such as mangrove replanting, community-based resource management, and education on sustainable practices are critical to reversing the damage.
Sargassum Blooms Along Ghana’s Coast: A Case Study of Miemie
The shores of Miemie, a coastal community in Ghana's Western Region, are no stranger to the ebb and flow of the ocean. Yet, in recent years, the tides have carried more than just water and waves—masses of golden-brown sargassum seaweed now blanket the beaches, transforming this picturesque coastline into an ecological puzzle.
Sargassum, a floating seaweed commonly found in the Atlantic Ocean, has been washing ashore in unprecedented quantities. While it may seem harmless at first glance, its presence carries complex implications for the environment, local livelihoods, and the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.
The beach of Miemie covered by sargassum deposits
Sargassum is a type of floating seaweed that forms sprawling mats on the ocean’s surface. While it plays a vital role in marine ecosystems, providing habitat for fish and other organisms in open waters, its excessive accumulation on coastlines tells a different story.
The sudden surge in sargassum deposits along West African coasts has been linked to multiple factors. Nutrient runoff from agricultural activities, warmer ocean temperatures due to climate change, and changes in ocean currents have all contributed to this phenomenon. The nutrient-rich waters create the perfect breeding ground for sargassum to thrive, and ocean currents carry these dense mats to unsuspecting shores.
Sargassum Piles gathered from the shores of Miemie
species of fish found within the sargassum deposit
For the people of Miemie, the sargassum invasion is both a nuisance and a threat. The seaweed decomposes quickly, emitting a foul smell that disrupts the daily lives of coastal residents. Additionally, the thick mats hinder fishing activities by clogging nets and creating obstacles for boats, putting the livelihoods of fisherfolk at risk.
From an environmental perspective, sargassum deposits alter the dynamics of beach ecosystems. While it provides temporary shelter for certain marine species, its excessive presence can smother coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other habitats, further stressing marine life already grappling with human-induced challenges.
Aerial Solutions: Harnessing Drone Technology
To tackle this growing problem, drone imagery offers a unique vantage point for understanding and managing sargassum deposits. By capturing high-resolution aerial images of affected coastlines, drones can help map the spatial extent of sargassum blooms and monitor their movement over time. This data is invaluable for predicting future deposits and planning effective mitigation strategies.
Moreover, drone assessments can aid in designing community-based interventions. For instance, identifying priority areas for cleanup can help local authorities allocate resources more efficiently. Beyond immediate management, drones provide a powerful tool for raising awareness, capturing visuals that convey the scale and impact of the sargassum issue to policymakers and the public alike.
UAV Imagery after heavyy downpour On CAmpus (University of Cape Coast)
