ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF CHANGING LAND USE AND LAND COVER ON THE FLOOD EVENTS IN IBAJI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA
J. G. Aduku , A. T. Ogah, and N. D. Marcus
Volume 11 Issue 1
Abstract
The study Assessing the Effects of Changing Land Use and Land Cover on Flood Events in Ibaji Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria seeks to investigate the relationship between land-use changes and the increasing frequency and severity of floods in the region. The primary objective is to assess how urbanization, agricultural expansion, and deforestation contribute to flood events by examining changes in land use and their hydrological impacts. The study emphasizes the need for understanding the role of land-use changes in shaping flood patterns to develop effective flood management strategies in flood-prone areas. The materials and methods used in this study include both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data was gathered through field surveys and land-use practices. Secondary data consisted of satellite imagery (Landsat 8 and ASTER DEM), topographic maps, and existing literature on flood patterns and land-use trends. GIS tools such as ArcGIS, Idrisi Selva, and ILWIS 3.3 were used to classify and analyze land-use changes between 2002 and 2021, focusing on categories such as farmland, vegetation, built-up areas, and water bodies. The analysis revealed significant land-use changes over the study period. Vegetation cover decreased from 572.8 km² (41.6%) in 2002 to 223.1 km² (16.2%) in 2021, while built-up areas expanded from 335.9 km² (24.4%) to 443.3 km² (32.2%), and farmland increased from 320.8 km² (23.3%) to 459.9 km² (33.4%). These changes have led to increased surface runoff, reduced water infiltration, and a higher frequency of flooding. Based on these findings, the study recommends implementing sustainable land management practices and integrating flood risk management into urban planning to mitigate the adverse effects of land-use changes and reduce flood vulnerability in Ibaji. Keywords: Floods, Land-use, Land-Cover, Sustainable, Changes
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