Land-Use/Land-Cover Dynamics in Calabar Metropolis Using a Combined Approach of Remote Sensing and GIS

Abstract

This paper assessed the dynamics in the land use/land cover (LULC) within patterns of the land use/land cover (LULC) in Calabar metropolis. The thermal imageries for 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 were obtained and processed using remote sensing and Arc GIS software package in order to determine the changes that have occurred in the LULC in study area. The result of the LULC thematic maps overall accuracies was computed above 80 percent, which indicates an almost perfect agreement. The findings of this study reveal that, LULC classes by the year 2016 have assumed different dimensions of change from the sizes of their previous sizes in comparison to their current sizes. Land-use pattern changes in the study area were characterized by an increase in the built up class, waterbody (though with a slightly negative change from 2010 to 2012) and a predominant negative trend in dense vegetation and bare land classes; thus, indicating that the future changing trends will pose a depleting threat to the overall LULC. This study has shown that, the changing land use pattern of the area is capable affecting certain characteristics of the environment such as surface temperature. The study recommends that effort should be made by the government to increase urban vegetation around city centers and outliers by embarking on reforestation.