A GEOSPATIAL AND INTEGRATED EVALUATION OF MULTI-HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN THE SAHELIAN CORRIDOR OF NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jees.2025.0202/012Keywords:
Exposure, Vulnerability, Multi-hazard risk, Flooding;, Erosion, DesertificationAbstract
This study presents a comprehensive, GIS-based multi-hazard risk assessment of the Sahelian corridor of Nigeria, focusing on three dominant and interconnected environmental hazards: flooding, erosion, and desertification. The research was guided by the central aim of assessing the increasing effects of these hazards, with specific objectives including assessing the interconnections of the three hazards. A geo-spatial methodology was employed, utilising a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment and diverse datasets, including DEMs, climate data, and socio-economic indicators, to map susceptibility for each hazard through reclassification and weighted overlay analysis. The analysis revealed a pervasive and interconnected threat landscape: 57.84% of the land falls into the high flood hazard zone, with an additional 12.65% in the very high hazard zone. For erosion, over 95% of the land is at moderate (71.24%) or high (24.35%) risk of soil loss. Desertification is also a significant threat, with 30.39% at moderate risk, 21.34% at high risk, and 7.03% at very high risk. The integrated multi-hazard risk assessment identified that 26.37% of the total study area is at high risk, and 4.07% is at very high risk. High-risk states identified are Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara, with the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Shinkafi and Sokoto South classified as very high-risk hotspots. The study concludes that multi-hazard risk is amplified by human factors such as population density and infrastructure concentration, and recommends structural measures, such as drainage rehabilitation and afforestation, alongside non-structural measures, such as land-use planning and early warning systems, to enhance resilience and integrate risk assessments into local development policies.
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