Assessment of land degradation using remote sensing approach
Abstract
Land degradation leads to the alteration of ecological and economic functions due to a decrease in the productivity and quality of the land. Land degradation over Minna, Niger State, was assessed using geospatial techniques. Studies between the rainfall and NDVI used on human-induced and climate-induced land degradation were correlated. Landsat imageries on a decadal scale (2000–2019) were processed and classified using a maximum likelihood classifier. NDVI trends are not by rainfall dynamics to human actions. Averagely low, about 24.14%, correlation was found between the observed land degradation and the precipitation factor, yielding more than 50% congruence in degradation induced by human activities. The study discovered that the built-up and bare surfaces are increasing. The long-term changes in built-ups were 96% between 2000 and 2019; conversely, a sharp decrease in vegetative lands at about –19.38%. Based on the terrain analysis, locations have less steep and moderate slopes in the study area due to continuous urban expansion and demographic pressure. Consequentially, over time, available lands not degraded within the study areas would be reduced. The study recommended a proper land management system of land use allocation and land cover activities.
Keyword : land degradation, remote sensing and GIS techniques, rainfall dynamics, NDVI, human-induced, climate-induced and precipitation factor
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Biancalani, R., Nachtergaele, F., Petri, M., & Bunning, S. (2011). Land degradation assessment in drylands - methodology and results (Technical Report). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267151280
Huang, S., & Kong, J. (2016). Assessing land degradation dynamics and distinguishing Human-Induced changes from climate factors in the Three-North shelter forest region of China. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 5(9), 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi5090158
James, J. J., Sheley, R. L., Erickson, T., Rollins, K. S., Taylor, M. H., & Dixon, K. W. (2013). A systems approach to restoring degraded drylands. Journal Applied Ecology, 50(3), 730–739. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12090
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. (2005). Ecosystems and human well-being: Synthesis. Island Press.
Stellmes, M., Sonnenschein, R., Röder, A., Udelhoven T., Sommer, S., & Hill, J. (2015). Land degradation assessment and monitoring of dry lands. In P. S. Thenkabail (Ed.), Remote sensing of water resources, disasters, and urban studies (pp. 417–451). CRC Press.
Vogt, J. V., Safriel, U., Von Maltitz, G., Sokona, Y., Zougmore, R., Bastin, G., & Hill, J. (2011). Monitoring and assessment of land degradation and desertification: Towards new conceptual and integrated approaches. Land Degradation & Development, 22, 150–165. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.1075
Vu, M. Q., Le, Q. B., Frossard, E., & Vlek, P. L. G. (2014). Socio-economic and biophysical determinants of land degradation in Vietnam: An integrated causal analysis at the national level. Land Use Policy, 36, 605–617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2013.10.012
Wubie, M. A., & Assen, M. (2020). Effects of land cover changes and slope gradient on soil quality in the Gumara watershed, Lake Tana basin of North–West Ethiopia. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment, 6(3), 85–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-019-00660-5