TITLE:
Landcover Change of Gashaka Gumti National Park within 21 Years Window (1991 to 2011) Using Satellite Imageries
AUTHORS:
Ibrahim Ahamed Umar, Zacharia Buba Yaduma, Ephraim Edward Dishan, Joyrose Enebuse Adaeze
KEYWORDS:
Landcover Changes, Gashaka Gumti National Park, Satellite Imageries
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.6 No.9,
September
26,
2019
ABSTRACT: The study was conducted at Gashaka Gumti National Park to assess the land cover changes of Gashaka Gumti National Park within 21 years window (1991 to 2011) using satellite imageries. Results showed that in 1991, 2001 and 2011, Guinea Savannah covered 41% (2762.01 km2), 38% (2565.01 km2) and 36% (2449.23 km2) of the land area respectively. Derived Savannah covered 31% (2086.85 km2), 33% (2185.41 km2) and 31% (2072.39 km2) respectively in the stated years. Montane Forest covered 12% (775.28 km2), 12% (822.02 km2) and 14% (941.11 km2) respectively in the years under consideration. For Gallery Forest, 16%, 17% and 19% were recorded for the stated years respectively. This indicated that Guinea Savannah decreased by 7.13% (﹣197 km2), Derived Savanna, Montane Forest and Gallery Forest increased by 4.72% ( 98.56 km2), 6.03% ( 46.74 km2) and 4.67% ( 51.7 km2) respectively between 1991 and 2011. Between 2001 and 2011, Guinea Savanna and Derived savanna decreased by 4.51% (﹣115.78 km2) and 5.17% (﹣113.02 km2), respectively, while Montane and Gallery forests increased by 14.49% ( 119.09 km2) and 9.47% ( 109.71 km2) respectively. The changes recorded were considered marginal. Similarly, the temperature and rainfall dynamics established in the study were not of such magnitude that could negatively impact on the landcover classes.