SPATIO-TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF LAND USE/LAND COVER DYNAMICS USING REMOTE SENSING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM IN THE BAGEL ZUNGUR WATERSHED, NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10/3303/jees.2025.0202/018Keywords:
Geographic Information System, Land use/land cover, Remote sensing, WatershedAbstract
Land use and land cover (LULC) dynamics are critical indicators of environmental change and watershed sustainability, particularly in ecologically sensitive highland regions. This study analysed the spatio-temporal patterns and dynamics of LULC change in the Bagel Zungur Watershed, North-Central Nigeria, over 30 years (1990–2020) using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Landsat satellite images for 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020 were obtained from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and processed using ERDAS IMAGINE and ArcGIS software. A supervised classification approach based on a modified Anderson Level I classification scheme was used to classify the watershed into six land cover categories: bare soil, built-up area, cultivated land, forest/riparian vegetation, rock outcrop, and broad river/waterbody. The results reveal significant LULC changes characterised by a consistent expansion of cultivated land and built-up areas, alongside a marked decline in forest and riparian vegetation. Cultivated land increased from 52.05% of the total watershed area in 1990 to 60.49% in 2020, while forest/riparian vegetation declined from 31.63% to 20.93% over the same period. Built-up areas also showed a steady increase, reflecting population growth and expanding human activities. Water bodies remained relatively stable throughout the study period. The observed LULC changes indicate increasing anthropogenic pressure on the watershed, with implications for land degradation, ecosystem stability, and water resource sustainability. The findings provide a valuable baseline for proactive watershed management, land-use planning, and environmental conservation strategies in the region.
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