IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (IJGEM )

E-ISSN 2504-8821
P-ISSN 2695-1878
VOL. 10 NO. 7 2024
DOI: 10.56201/ijgem.v10.no7.2024.pg130.144

---

Geomorphological Characteristics Based on RS and GIS Analysis and Land Use/Land Cover Dynamics in Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria

Odoh, Benard Ifeanyi Nwokeabia, Charity Nkiru

---

Abstract

The geological and geomorphological characteristics of a region significantly influence its land use patterns and environmental management strategies. In Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria, the interplay between slope dynamics and land use/land cover (LULC) is critical for sustainable development. This study aims to analyze the slope distribution and its implications on LULC in a part of Anambra State, providing insights into the region's suitability for various land uses and potential risks. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the slope classes in the study area and their impact on LULC distribution. By examining the slope data and corresponding LULC types, the study aims to identify areas suitable for agriculture, urban development, and conservation, and propose sustainable management practices. The study employed a quantitative approach, utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to analyze slope and LULC data. The slope data were categorized into five classes: 0 - 1.26 degrees, 1.26 - 1.57 degrees, 1.57 - 2.84 degrees, 2.84 - 7.94 degrees, and 7.94 - 28.51 degrees. The LULC analysis was conducted for the years 2017 and 2023, classifying the land cover into seven types: water, trees, flooded vegetation, crops, built area, bare ground, and rangeland. Spatial distribution maps and area statistics were generated to understand the correlation between slope and LULC. The analysis revealed that the largest area, 236.13 km², falls within the 1.57 - 2.84 degrees slope range, indicating predominantly gently sloping terrain. Flat to nearly flat terrain (0 - 1.26 degrees) covers 179.03 km², while moderately steep terrain (2.84 - 7.94 degrees) accounts for 178.40 km². Steeper slopes (7.94 - 28.51 degrees) cover a minimal area of 9.42 km². The LULC analysis showed significant areas covered by trees (394.16 km² in 2017 and 336.84 km² in 2023) and built areas (134.43 km² in 2017 and 156.90 km² in 2023), reflecting ong

keywords:

Slope analysis, Soil conservation, Urban development, Anambra State

---

References:

Abdullateef, L., Tijani, M. N., Nuru, N. A., John, S., & Mustapha, A. (2021). Assessment of
groundwater recharge potential in a typical geological transition zone in Bauchi, NE-
Nigeria using remote sensing/GIS and MCDA approaches. Heliyon, 7(4), e06762.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06762
Adewole, A. O., Ike, F., & Eludoyin, A. O. (2019). A multi-sensor-based evaluation of the
morphometric characteristics of Opa river basin in Southwest Nigeria. International
Journal
of
Image
and
Data
Fusion,
11(2),
185–200.
https://doi.org/10.1080/19479832.2019.1683622
Akaolisa, C. C., Agbasi, O. E., Etuk, S. E., Adewumi, R., & Okoli, E. A. (2023). Evaluating
the Effects of Real Estate Development in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria: Emphasizing
Changes in Land Use/Land Cover (LULC). Journal of Landscape Ecology, 16(2), 98–
https://doi.org/10.2478/jlecol-2023-0012
Amah, J. I., Aghamelu, O. P., Omonona, O. V., Onwe, I. M., & Agbi, I. O. (2021). Analysis of
the impacts of hydrology, soil properties, and geotechnics on gully propagation on the
Edda-Afikpo Mesas of the Lower Cross River watershed (southeastern Nigeria).
Journal
of
African
Earth
Sciences,
174,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2020.104074
De Andrade Caxito, F., De Lira Santos, L. C. M., Ganade, C. E., Bendaoud, A., Fettous, E. H.,
& Bouyo, M. H. (2020). Toward an integrated model of geological evolution for NE
Brazil-NW Africa: The Borborema Province and its connections to the Trans-Saharan
(Benino-Nigerian and Tuareg shields) and Central African orogens. Brazilian Journal
of Geology, 50(2). https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-4889202020190122
Egbueri, J. C., & Igwe, O. (2020). The impact of hydrogeomorphological characteristics on
gullying processes in erosion-prone geological units in parts of southeast Nigeria.
Geology,
Ecology
and
Landscapes,
5(3),
227–240.
https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2020.1711637
Gbadebo, A., Adedeji, O., & Edogbo, A. (2018). GIS-based landslide susceptibility assessment
in Eyinoke Hilly Area of Okeigbo, SW, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Science &
Environmental Management, 22(6), 917. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v22i6.13
Hassan, N., Kalin, N., White, N., & Aladejana, N. (2019). Hydrostratigraphy and Hydraulic
Characterisation of Shallow Coastal Aquifers, Niger Delta Basin: A Strategy for
Groundwater
Resource
Management.
Geosciences,
9(11),
https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences9110470
Ibitoye, M. O. (2021). A remote sensing-based evaluation of channel morphological
characteristics of part of lower river Niger, Nigeria. SN Applied Sciences/SN Applied
Sciences, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04215-1
Idowu, N., & Zhou, N. (2019). Performance Evaluation of a Potential Component of an Early
Flood Warning System—A Case Study of the 2012 Flood, Lower Niger River Basin,
Nigeria. Remote Sensing, 11(17), 1970. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11171970
Igwe, O., & Umbugadu, A. A. (2020). Characterization of structural failures founded on soils
in Panyam and some parts of Mangu, Central Nigeria. Geoenvironmental Disasters,
7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40677-020-0141-9
Igwe, O., & Una, C. O. (2019). Landslide impacts and management in Nanka area, Southeast
Nigeria. Geoenvironmental Disasters, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40677-019-0122-
z
Igwe, O., Ifediegwu, S. I., & Onwuka, O. S. (2020). Determining the occurrence of potential
groundwater zones using integrated hydro-geomorphic parameters, GIS and remote
sensing in Enugu State, Southeastern, Nigeria. Sustainable Water Resources
Management, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-020-00397-5
Ogbe, O. B., & Osokpor, J. (2021). Depositional facies, sequence stratigraphy and reservoir
potential of the Eocene Nanka Formation of the Ameki Group in Agu-Awka and
Umunya,
southeast
Nigeria.
Heliyon,
7(1),
e05846.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05846
Okeke, C. J., Ukaegbu, V. U., & Egesi, N. (2019). Remote sensing signature of geological
structures inferred on landsat imagery of Afikpo area Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of
Geography and Mining Research, 11(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.5897/jgmr2018.0305
Onyia, N., Balzter, H., & Berrio, J. C. (2018). Normalized Difference Vegetation Vigour Index:
A New Remote Sensing Approach to Biodiversity Monitoring in Oil Polluted Regions.
Remote Sensing, 10(6), 897. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs10060897
Rowland, A., & Ebuka, A. O. (2024). ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF LAND COVER AND
LAND USE CHANGE ON URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE IN ABUJA,
NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY FROM 2017 TO 2022. Structure and Environment, 16(1),
6–17. https://doi.org/10.30540/sae-2024-002
Roy, J., Saha, S., Arabameri, A., Blaschke, T., & Bui, D. T. (2019). A Novel Ensemble
Approach for Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (LSM) in Darjeeling and Kalimpong
Districts,
West
Bengal,
India.
Remote
Sensing,
11(23),
https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11232866
Sedano, F., Molini, V., & Azad, M. a. K. (2019). A Mapping Framework to Characterize Land
Use in the Sudan-Sahel Region from Dense Stacks of Landsat Data. Remote Sensing,
11(6), 648. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11060648
Simwanda, M., Ranagalage, M., Estoque, R. C., & Murayama, Y. (2019). Spatial Analysis of
Surface Urban Heat Islands in Four Rapidly Growing African Cities. Remote Sensing,
11(14), 1645. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11141645

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back