Spatial Assessment of Vegetation Dynamics in a Rapidly Rural Transforming Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to assess the vegetation dynamics in a rapidly rural transforming Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, Nigeria. Vegetation dynamics data were acquired from Landsat satellite data of 1988, 2003 and 2018. Data acquired were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The results showed that there was a reduction in the vegetation area in both 2003 and 2018 to 404.15 km2 (60.27%) and 225.07 km2 (33.56%) respectively and agricultural activities decreased the vegetation cover from 76.6% in 1988 to 60.3% in 2003 and then 33.6% in 2018. The increase in agricultural activities decreased the vegetation cover from 76.6% in 1988 to 60.3% in 2003 and then 33.6% in 2018. There was however an increase in the size of the water bodies from 0.23% in 1988 to 0.30% in 2003 and to 0.68% in 2018. The bare surface decreased from 3.67% in 1988 to 2.47% in 2003 but later increased to 3.40% in 2018. The highest NDVI values (0.38 - 0.50) were observed in 1988. Negative values were observed in 1988 (-0.05 - 0.10) and 2003 (-0.12 -0.01). The study concluded that vegetation cover in Ikwerre Local Government Area has decreased significantly possibly because of the increase in the farmlands and other human activities. The study therefore recommended that human activities contributing to the decrease in the vegetation cover in the study area should be discouraged and more studies like this should be extended to other LGAs in Rivers State.

Author(s): Weli VE, Eludoyin OS, Agaviezor DT

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