Impact of Human Activities on Land Use/ Land Cover Changes in Jalingo, Nigeria
Abstract:
The study was aimed at assessing the impact of human activities on land use/ land cover changes in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria between 1990 and 2020. In identifying human activities affecting land use land cover change, Kobo collect toolbox digital data collection was adopted. The integration of Geospatial data; Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) with Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) and Satellite Imageries were used to derive land use and land cover maps of Jalingo. NDVI, NDWI and LST were generated to assess their relationship with the land use land cover trends. The results show that out of the human activities impacting land use land cover change 16.67% is Deforestation, 16.67% is Dumping of non-biodegradable trash, 33.33% is Exposure to bare soil, 16.67% is Mismanagement of agricultural lands while 16.67% are Quarrying activities. The land use and land cover change analysis of Jalingo from 1990 to 2005 and 2020 revealed that there was an increase in the area coverage of the bare surface from 40.8% in 1990 to 43.9% in 2005 and 45% in 2020; an increase in the area coverage of built-up area from 3.3% in 1990 to 14% in 2005 and 32.4% in 2020; a decrease in the area coverage of vegetative land from 53.9% in 1990 to 40.7% in 2005 and 20.5% in 2020. The trend reveals a gradual reduction in vegetative cover and of surface moisture levels in Jalingo. The research recommends Irrigation, Afforestation, Clean Biomass system among others.
