Analysis of Landuse and Landcover Change around the City of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

⃰ Prince C. Mmom and ⃰ ⃰Florence W. Fred-Nwagwu

Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

⃰⃰ ⃰Department of Surveying and Geo-informatics, Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: pcmmom@yahoo.com;

 Tel:+ 2348033389632

Accepted 16 August, 2013

Abstract

The analysis of landuse / Landcover change is essentially the analysis of the relationship between man and land. Landuse and landcover change have become a central component in current strategies in managing natural resources and monitoring environmental changes. Landuse and landcover of region is a reflection of the level of development in that region on the one hand, and the level of development influences landuse and landcover. On the other hand landuse/ Landcover change becomes essential in monitoring development in a region. The city of Port Harcourt has witnessed tremendous growth in population in recent years and a cursory assessment would reveal a change in landuse and landcover of the area. However, the pattern and trend in this change is not properly documented in literature. Therefore this study was instituted to analyse the extent and trend of landuse/ Landcover change within and around Port Harcourt City. Using satellite imageries between 1986-2007 and GIS as analytical tools, the paper discovered a significant change in Landuse / Landcover change in Port Harcourt city and environs which is basically as a result of rapid urbanization and other anthropogenic activities. More significantly, is the decline in agricultural land and rise in built-up areas. Thus, if the decline in agricultural land remains unchecked, in the nearest future food production would be a serious challenge and rural livelihood would negatively be impacted. The paper therefore recommends proper landuse planning and enforcement of development control to forestall the negative environmental and socio-economic consequences of landuse and landcover changes.

Keywords: Development, Landuse / Landcover change, Port Harcourt, Remote sensing Residential use, Satellite Imagery.