Analysis of Land Use/Land Cover Change Using Geospatial Techniques in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue III, March 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Analysis of Land Use/Land Cover Change Using Geospatial Techniques in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Collins H. Wizor (PhD)* and Nduka I. Okugini
Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author

Abstract:-This study examines the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) in mapping Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) change in Ukwuani Local Government Area (LGA) between 1990, 2002, and 2014; to detect the changes that has taken place in the study area within the period of study. The study aim is to detect and map the LULC changes in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State over the period of 36years (1990-2014). In this study, three data set of Landsat Satellite images were layer stacked after which supervised classification in EARDAS imagine software was carried out and mapping in Arc GIS software. Four land use and land cover categories were classified into Built-up areas, Cultivation, Vegetation, and Waterbody. The result of the study shows a rapid growth in built-up land between 2002 and 2014 while the periods between 1990 and 2002 witnessed an increment in this class also. Findings of the study also show that there would be an accelerated increase in built-areas because of development that is coming to the study area in recent years. The study, therefore, recommends building towards the outskirts through the provision of incentives and forces of attraction that are available at the city centre in these areas. The study further recommends that the government should encourage afforestation in the study area to reduce the loss of biodiversity, inducing high rates of extinction and a worldwide depletion of biological diversity at genetic, species and ecosystem levels.

Keywords: GIS, Land cover, Land use, Nigeria, Remote Sensing, Ukwuani

I. INTRODUCTION

The land is a portion of the earth’s solid surface distinguishable by boundaries or ownership. Land use shows how people of a particular area use the landscape, whether conservation, development or mixed uses. Land cover describes the vegetal attributes of the land. It tells how much and the area is covered by forest, wetland, waterbody, etc. Land use and land cover dynamics are widespread, accelerating, and significant processes driven by human actions but also producing changes that impact humans (Agarwal, et al, 2002).

Read More