An Assessment of Land Use/Land Cover Changes in A Section of Niger Delta, Nigeria
An Assessment of Land Use/Land Cover Changes in A Section of Niger Delta, Nigeria
An Assessment of Land Use/Land Cover Changes in A Section of Niger Delta, Nigeria
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Innocent I. Abbas
Ahmadu Bello University
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Abstract Remote Sensing and GIS offer quick and efficient approach to the classification and mapping of land use/land
cover changes over space and time. Info rmation on changes in resource classes, direction, area and pattern of land use-land
cover classes form the basis for future planning. Specifically, the land use/land cover types for the years 1986 and 2008 were
studied and compared. The data products used in the study are Landsat TM imagery of 1986 and Nigeriasat-1 imagery of
2008. The data sets were put into Arcview GIS environ ment for geo-referencing and on-screen digitization of the needed
layers. The land use-land cover layers for 1986 and 2008 were therefo re generated. The magnitude, trend and annual rate of
change analysis were generated fro m the land use-land covers for the years-1986 and 2008. The annual rate of change was
then used as the basis for the p rojection of the 2050 land use-land cover situation of the study area. The findings show that
there was high rate o f land use-land cover change leading to decimat ion of sources of livelihood and resettlement of the
people.
Keywords GIS, Imageries, Land Cover, Land Use, Remote Sensing
study area in 1986 and 2008 using multi-date satellite of land use-land cover characteristics and human imprints
imageries. were also made and recorded for verification of the
(ii). to analyze land use/land cover magnitude and trend of Nigeriasat-1 image features.
changes in land use/land cover for the area between 1986 and The first set of results -land use-land cover data of 1986
2008. that was generated from Landsat TM (1986) and land use
(iii). to project the land use/ land cover pattern for the year land cover of 2008 that was generated from Nigeriasat-1
2050 using the 1986-2008 scenario as the basis. (2008) within the Arcview GIS environ ment (as shown in
The study area lies appro ximately between latitudes 50 451 table 1) produced the change statistics in table 2. The change
and 6°301 north of the Equator and longitudes 40 301 and analysis was performed by intersecting the different
50 071 East of the Greenwich. It covers about 3,310 km2 and it mu lti-temporal land use and land cover layers of 1986 and
covers about 88km along the coastline. The d istance from the 2008. The overlay of the land use/land cover statistics
coast inland-wards is about 50km at the farthest and about assisted in identify ing the magnitude, trend and rate of
19km at the shortest. change between 1986 and 2008.
The magnitude of change fo r each land use/land cover
class was calculated by subtracting the area coverage of the
2. Materials and Methods second year from that of the initial year as shown in equation
2.
The Landsat imagery of 1986 was downloaded fro m the Magnitude = Magnitude of the new year - Magnitude of
website of the Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) of the the previous year 2
University of Maryland, USA[14]. The imagery was used to Percentage change (trend) for each LULC type was then
generate the land use/land cover for 1986. calculated by dividing magnitude change by sum of changes
The Nigeriasat-1 imagery of 2008 was acquired fro m between the years concerned and mu ltip lied by 100 as shown
National Space Research and Develop ment Agency in equation 3.
(NASRDA), Abuja. It has 3 spectral bands with spatial Trend = magnitude of change * 100 3
resolution of 32m on all the bands. The re-sampled Sum of change
Nigeriasat-1 image was interpreted to generate the static land In obtaining the annual rate of change for each LULC type,
use /land cover data for 2008. the trend (percentage change) was divided by 100 and
The images were georeferenced to UTM -31 projection, mu ltip lied by the nu mber of study year 1986 – 2008 (22years)
WGS84 datum and corrected for geometric and radio metric as shown in equation 4.
errors fro m the sources. These data were analyzed using Annual rate of change = Trend *22 4
Geographic Information System. Arc v iew 3.2 GIS software 100
was used for the Interpretation of the Landsat and
Nigeriasat-1 satellite imageries that yielded the first set of
results which were Land use/land cover data for the years 3. Results and Discussion
1986 and 2008 respectively. Field check was conducted
3.1. Land Use-Land Cover Statistics for 1986 and 2008
using a handheld Garmin S76 Global Positioning Systems
(GPS) and dig ital camera. A total o f 185 field checkpoints The static LULC statistics for the study area in 1986 and
were established by GPS for accuracy check. According 2008 is presented in table 1. It shows both the primary and
to[12], the ideal nu mber of check points required to be tested the secondary classes’ area coverage in hectares and their
in the land use classification map is determined fro m the percentages. Figure 1 shows the graphical display of the
binomial probability given in equation 1 as trend between 1986 and 2008 LULC. The map
N = 4(p) (q~)/e2 1 representations for 1986 and 2008 are shown in figures 2 and
Where: N = is the number of points required, 3 respectively.
p = is the expected percent accuracy The primary LULC classes increased fro m seven in 1986
q~ = the difference between 100 and p to eight in 2008 because cloud was discovered in the
e = is the maximu m allowable erro r Nigeriasat-1 imagery of 2008 and was treated as a cover
For an expected 90% accuracy and allowable error of 5%, class for the purposes of statistics generation though it was
the minimu m nu mber of points required was 144. This shows not actually a land use land cover. The specific classes (level
that the number of checkpoints (185) established on the field II classes) increased fro m 16 in 1986 to 20 in 2008 with the
was far higher than the ideal nu mber o f checkpoints required. addition of cloud cover. In specific terms, addit ional new
The checkpoints (stored as GPS waypoints) were level II classes including burrow pit/excavated lands,
downloaded using the Easy GPS program. The coordinates dredged spoil, mud and cloud cover emerged in 2008; wh ile
(together with descriptions) were imported into Arcview 3.2 dredge river canal, submerged areas, bare surface and
GIS and added to the GIS database as an event theme which de-vegetated lands increased in extent. The built up area had
was converted into a data layer. This theme of field increased in 2008 to 7934.11ha (2.18%) due to massive
coordinates was then used as a base for assessing accuracy of construction works by Niger Delta Develop ment
the interpreted imageries as described by[15]. Observations Co mmission (NDDC) and most especially Ondo State Oil
Frontiers in Science 2012, 2(6): 137-143 139
Producing Areas Development Co mmission (OSOPADEC) specific levels being submerged areas 40870.14ha (11.23%),
[16]. burrow pit/excavated land being 246.60ha (0.07%), bare
The area covered by the river increased to 9478.01ha surfaces being 35244.96ha (9.69%) and Devegetated areas
(2.60%), lake/pond had disappeared from the study area, being 17552.78ha (4.82%). The wetlands area decreased to
dredged river/canal decreased to 1654.02 (0.54%) bringing 14562.16ha (4.0%) with specific classes of marsh being
the total water bodies’ area to 11432.03ha (5.32%). The 3010.17ha (0.83%) and mangrove being 11551.99ha
degraded lands increased to 78111.74ha (25.81%) with the (3.17%).
Table 1. LULC Statistics for 1986 and 2008
Area (Ha) Percent Area (Ha) Percent
Primary Class Secondary Class
2008 2008 1986 1986
Built-Up Areas Built Up Area 7934.11 2.39 4,976.13 1.5
Water bodies River 9478.01 2.87 8,870.26 2.7
Lake/Pond 0.0 0 595.25 0.2
Dredged River/Canal 1954.02 0.59 1,873.17 0.6
Total 11432.03 3.36 14,314.68 3.5
Submerged Areas
Degraded Lands 40870.14 12.35 3,887.59 1.2
Burrow Pit/Excavated
534.60 0.16 0 0
Land
35244.96 10.65 5,473.49 1.7
Bare Surfaces
17552.78 5.30 12272.66 3.7
Devegetated Areas
Total 94202.48 28.46 21633.74 6.6
Wetlands Marsh 3010.17 0.90 25,384.62 7.7
Mangrove 11551.99 3.50 8,175.05 2.5
Total 14562.16 4.4 33,559.67 10.2
Farmland/Fallow 56935.41 17.21 79,209.86 24
Agricultural Lands
Plantation 108.03 0.03 2,105.71 0.6
Total
57043.44 17.24 81,315.57 24.6
Heavy Forest 75579.1 22.84 82,434.50 24.9
Natural/Semi Natural
Light forest/Thicket 29056.31 8.80 44,091.93 13.3
Vegetation
Palm Swamp 29882.71 9.04 41,868.34 12.7
Scrub / Grassland 8885.19 2.44 11,114.99 3.4
Total
144249.91 43.81 179,509.76 54.3
Open Area Sandbar 1464.31 0.44 484.68 0.1
Dredged Spoil 201.27 0.06 0 0
Mud 45.08 0.01 0 0
Total 1710.66 0.52 484.68 0.1
Cloud 329.64 0.10 - -
Cloud cover
Total 329.64 010 - -
Ground Total 331464.43 100 331465.23 100
Source: modified from[17] with GIS analysis carried out by the author
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The agricultural lands also decreased to 57043.44ha areas (22.9%) also recorded high gains. Others classes that
(15.68%) with the level II classes of farmland/fallo w being gained include river (3.31%), d redged river canal (2.11%),
56935.41ha (15.65%) and plantation being 108.03ha mangrove (3.77%) and devegetated areas (4.11%).
(0.03%). The natural/semi natural p rimary class experienced In summary, 8 of the 19 classes of 1986 recorded loss.
further decline in 2008. The total extent of the natural/semi These are lake/pond (22%), marsh (17.33%), p lantation
natural primary class was 144249.91ha (48.72%) in 2008. (19.85%), light forest/thicket (4.75%), palm swamp (3.67%),
The coverage of the primary classes are; heavy forest scrub/grassland (2.45%), farmland/fallow (3.6%) and heavy
76425.70ha (30.09%), light forest/thicket 29056.31ha forest (0.83%).
(7.98%), palm swamp 29882.71ha (8.21%) and
3.3. Land Use- Land Cover Projecti on for the Year 2050
scrub/grasslands 8885.19ha (2.44%). The open area
increased from 1 level II class to 3 level II class in 2008 with The land use land cover projection for the year 2050 was
total area of 1710.66ha (0.47%) with specific coverage of calculated based on the scenario of change between 1986 and
sandbar being 1464.31ha (0.4%), dredged spoil being 2008. The annual rate of change between 1986 and 2008 was
201.27ha (0.06%) and mud being 45.08ha (0.01%). The used to mult iply the difference in the years (2050-2008=42
cloud cover took 329.64ha (0.10%) of the area coverage thus years). This is done for all the classes and the resultant
increasing the total land mass of the study area to 330, result is added to the present land use-land cover coverage
846.79ha higher than the previous 330, 517.15ha in 1960 and for 2008. The p rojected figure is therefore presented in table
in 1986. 3.
Fro m table 3, if the scenario between 1986 and 2008 is
3.2. Magnitude, Trend (Percentage Change) and Annual maintained, there is the possibility that by the year 2050, the
Rate of Change (1960-2008) percentage of built up area would have increased fro m 2.39%
in 2008 to 2.5%, degraded ecologies from 31.47% in 2008 to
The change magnitude, percentage (trend) and annual rate 38.69% in 2050, natural/semi natural vegetation from
of change between 1986 and 2008 is presented in table 2. 43.81% in 2008 to 42.99% in 2050, agricu ltural lands from
The period 1986 – 2008 witnessed the emergence of 17.24% in 2008 to 16.98%, wetlands fro m 4.4% in 2008 to
degraded lands. The gains of existing classes reduced while 4.09% by the year 2050, degraded lands fro m 28.38% in
their losses to the degraded lands increased. Correspondingly, 2008 to 28.85% in 2050 and water bodies fro m 3.36% in
the gain of the newer land cover classes increased 2008 to 3.43% in 2050. The built up area, water bodies,
substantially. Burro ws pit/excavated land (100%), degraded lands and open area will increase giv ing the present
submerged areas (82.63%) and bare surfaces (73.12%) land use land cover scenario while natural and semi natural
which are 2 of the newer classes recorded the highest gains vegetation, wetlands agricultural lands will decrease by the
between 1986 and 2008. Sand bar (50.27%) and built up year 2050.
142 Idowu Innocent Abbas: An Assessment of Land Use/Land Cover Changes in a Section of Niger Delta, Nigeria
Specifically, p lantation agriculture would have occupations in the area are threatened. The survival of the
disappeared by the year 2050 and the pose serious threat to inhabitants now hang in the balance and if drastic measures
food security and human survival. The degraded ecologies are not taken to check the high rate of land use- land cover
would have increased in size fro m 31.47% in 2008 to 38.69% change been witnessed the study area might witness
by the year 2050. This calls for serious management of the restiveness as is currently going on in both the central and
ecosystem of the study area especially with the increase in eastern Niger Delta.
the displacement of the people fro m their settlements and On the basis of this study, it is highly reco mmended that
uproots of livelihoods such as agriculture especially fishing all dredged canals and constructed water channels that
and crop production. opened directly fro m the land to the sea should be managed
in such a way to prevent continued saline water inflo w into
the land areas
4. Conclusions There is the need for urgent land resources restoration for
areas that have suffered terrible degradation. In particu lar,
Findings in the study of an area of about 331,000 hectares the stretch of coastal land that runs along the ocean coast.
have shown a significant spatio-temporal variation in the rate Mangrove and marsh replant needs to be urgently
of gain and loss amongst the different land use-land cover considered.
categories. But of utmost relevance is the near co mplete loss Legislat ions compelling environmental protection,
of the region’s ecological b iodiversity. restoration and remediat ion should be enforced to stem
The co mmencement of oil and gas explorat ion and externalities resulting fro m resource explo itation; oil
exploitation, has brought environmental problems associated companies’ and other co mpanies in the area should be
with canalization, oil spillage, gas flares, land subsidence, environment-friendly in their activ ities and respect all laws
depletion of forest resources, riverbank and coastal erosion, on environmental protection and sustainability as exp ressed
and so on. There are indications that the extraction of large by[18].
quantities of oil and gas fro m the region is continuing to The study area environment is no doubt under siege, and
cause subsidence and relocation of settlements. unless both short and long-term changes are instigated,
This is most disturbing especially as sources of livelihoods sustainable development may remain an illusion. There is no
in the form of farming and fishing which are the major doubt that there is need for balanced approach towards
Frontiers in Science 2012, 2(6): 137-143 143
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Govern ment of Nigeria is to be successful. [8] Leary, N, Kulkarni, J and Seipt, C (2007): Assessment of
Impacts and Adaptation to Climate Change: Summary of the
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Facility Enabling Activity in the Climate Change Focal Area
Project No. GFL-2328-2724-4330
The authors wish to acknowledge Prof. E.O Igu isi for his
[9] Fasona M J (2003) Coas t al F looding Risk and
guidance in carrying out this study. The managements of Community Adapt ive Strat egies in t he Western N iger
GLCF and NASRDA are also appreciated. Thanks also go to Delta, Journal of Env ironment and Behavior, Vol. 1
the people of the study area for their support throughout the pp56-62
study.
[10] F ederal Environment al P rot ect ion A gency (1991)
National Policy on T he Env ir onm ent, T he Pres idency,
A buja, N igeria, pp43
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