Transect Analysis - Advantages and Limitations

This tool can give a broad overview of the evolution of community land use. It is thus useful for planning and monitoring community forestry/watershed areas and any other activities taking place on the land. It is less time consuming than other information gathering tools as many different interventions can be identified using the one tool. Communities, some for the first time, can analyse the linkages, patterns and inter-relationships of land use.

The method only takes into account the currently “observable” land use situation, it does not provide an insight into historical land use patterns nor does it provide an insight into future visions for the land use. In order to be able to undertake the transect mapping exercise a qualified facilitator is required to guide the community or the group while undertaking the exercise. It is not always easy to identify where best to undertake the transect walk, the transect may actually not represent a common picture of the area/ community.