EXAMINATION OF LULC OVER NIGERIA BETWEEN 1991 AND 2016

ABSTRACT

Remote sensing is used in this research work for the development and acquisition of Land use/land cover data, pattern and its attendant effects in Warri metropolis, Delta State Nigeria. Remote sensing images and digital data verified by ground trothing (field work) satellite data are used to assess the rate of change in Land use / Land cover between 1991 and 2016. Remote sensing and geographic Information System (GIS) help integrate natural, cultural, social and economic information to create spatial information system on the available terrain resources. Sets of United states geological society (USGS) images were acquired corresponding with the years, field checked to ascertain the data captured on the terrain. The digital satellite data are incorporated as input data into ArcGIS software to separately map out the land use/land cover units and their magnitude determine. Three distinct units were identified in classification of land use/landed cover pattern categories as follows: Built-up areas, vegetation and Water bodies. Ground truthing was carried out to ascertain the accuracy of data and there are major changes in the land use/land cover. It was discovered that there are rapid inbuilt-up areas evidently explained in buildings projects that resulted in decrease in forest land, agricultural land and open space. This is attributed to the anthropogenic activities of farming, bush burning, grazing, etc. However, the area occupied by water remained unchanged over the years. This study demonstrates that remotely sensed data and GIS based approach is found to be timely and cost effective than the conventional method of analysis, classification of land use pattern effective for planning and management.