GROWTH DYNAMICS OF LAND USE/ COVER CHANGE AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION PATTERN IN LAPAI, NIGER STATE.NIGERIA

Abstract

The study explores the temporal and spatial characteristics of urban expansion and land use/cover change between 2001 and 2013 in Lapai and environs. The aim of this research is to analyses the extent of land-use changes between 2001, and 2013 in Lapai and environs, using remote sensing data. To achieve this aim both primary and secondary data were obtained. Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite images of 2001 and 2006 of Niger state was obtained from the Global Land cover Facility (GLCF) an Earth Science Data Interface, while 2013 was obtained from the National Space Research and Development Agency in Abuja (NASRDA). Digital image-processing software Arc GIS 9.3 and ILWIS 3.3 were used for analysis and integration of spatial data, and to generate the false colour composite, by combing near infrared, red and green in bands 4, 3, 2 for both images. Temporally, the expansion shows fast growth stages; with the high-speed growth area shifting to the east and west side of the Town. The result of the analysis shows in table 2, 2a, and 2b represents the static area of each land use category for each study year. Built-up area in 2001 occupies 4.21% of the total classes. Farm land occupies 54.31% of the total classes in year. In 2006, there is an increase in built up areas occupies about 6.54% and decreased in farm lands to about 43.49%.In table 2b, between 2001 and 2013 there is reduction in farm land,while built-up land increased by 26.87% , the dense vegetation decreased by 3.96%, 17.11%, and 5.35%, respectively. It is concluded that the total physical expansion of the town increased by the built up areas from 4.21% to 31.08%.