Understanding participatory GIS application in rangeland use planning: a review of PGIS practice in Africa

ABSTRACT Effective planning of rangeland use is crucial to mitigate the adverse impacts of anthropogenic activities and for the sustenance of rangeland ecosystems. The development of participatory GIS approaches created new opportunities to capture the varying views of local actors in land use planning. This paper reviews literatures that address PGIS application in rangeland planning and management in Africa using articles selected from Google Scholar repository. Articles that broadly align to the research objective were examined in detail. Although the investigation revealed that PGIS contributes significantly in promoting the integration of local knowledge in rangeland planning and management, there are still concerns about content and methodological limitations, representation, equity and access. These outcomes paint a persistent gloomy picture on the involvement of communities in the management of their resources. More aggressive and holistic approaches are required for accelerated and effective rangeland planning under the fourth industrial revolution dispensation.