Spatial Dynamics of Land Use Land Cover of Minna City and Environs, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: Spatial dynamics of land use land cover of Minna city and environs, Niger State, Nigeria. Study Design: Survey and longitudinal research were carried out. Place and Duration of Study: Minna town, Niger State, Nigeria between 1990 and 2022. Methodology: This study investigated the dynamics of land use land cover of Minna city and environs, Niger State, Nigeria using satellite remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) technique.  Results: Findings of the study showed that in 1990, land use type was dominated by agricultural land (50%), followed by vegetation land (30%). However, built-up area was less than 10% indicating that urban heat stress was limited. It was observed that the built-up area concentrated on the center and north-western segments of the city. In 2010, bare ground dominated the land use type of Minna city and environs at the rate of 45%. This was followed by agricultural land at the rate of 35%. The built-up area occupied 15% of the entire land surface area of the city, indicating a tremendous rise from the previous decades. In 2022, the land use type showed a tremendous rise in agricultural land at the rate of 37%. This was followed by bare ground at an alarming increase of 36%. The built-up area ranked third at the rate of 20%, showing that the city had a severe urban heat effect due to heat generated by urban pavement materials. Conclusion: Thus, the practice of sustainable land use, good implementation of forest practice, appropriate water resources conservation and the promotion of alternative livelihood to agriculture should be implemented for the Minna inhabitants to reverse the situation of LULC changes without further delay.