Spatiotemporal Mapping and Analysis of the Land Use and Land Cover in Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

This study employed geospatial techniques to capture the process of land conversion taking place. The objectives include mapping the land use types. The methodology involved geospatial technique which uses remote sensing and GIS techniques to identify the past and current condition of land use change occasioned development activities in the Makurdi Metropolis for the period of 1999, 2009 and 2019. The result shows that overall, there was progressive and increasing change in built-up area and water body categories, at (17.00%) and (1.73%) respectively during the period of study. However, vegetation cover, farm land, bare land and wetland decreased by (2.51%), (3.51%), (4.61%) and (8.08%) respectively. Residential buildings are fast encroaching the flood plain of River Benue in Makurdi. There is a need to sensitize the residents on the danger of flooding and provisions should be made to relocate those already occupying the location.