Geospatial Analysis of Land Use Changes and their Influence on Biodiversity Loss in Andoni LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria
By Hermon G. Ibiso, Obute, G. C., Komi, G. W.
Geospatial analysis of land use changes and their influence on biodiversity loss in Andoni LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria. The study covered a period of 30 years (1986 to 2024). Secondary data such as multi-date images made up of Landsat 5 MSS, Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS (Operational Land Imager/ Thermal Infrared Sensor) were acquired for 1986, 2004, 2014 and 2024 were sourced from United States Geological Surveys (USGS) earth explorer. The classification resulted in five land use and land cover classes, water body, mangrove swamp, forest, farmland and built-up/bare surface. The results of the study showed that water body decreased by -752.76 hectares, mangrove swamp decreased by -684.27 hectares, forest decreased by -3,269.97 hectares, built-up area increased by 584.28 hectares, farmland increased by 4,122.72 hectares having the highest rate of total change for the period. The period witnessed an increase in farmland and built-up/bare surface. The land use and land cover changed from forested areas to other land use categories which indicated that expansion in built-up areas and other developmental activities have greatly reduced forest resources resulting in the loss of biodiversity. The study recommends the creation of a national park for the conservation and sustainable use of areas of high significance for biodiversity