Temporal Analysis of Land Use, Land Cover, and Slope Variation in Rivers State, Nigeria: A Study from 2017 to 2023

The landscape of Rivers State, South South, Nigeria, has been undergoing significant transformations over the past years, driven by various socio-economic and environmental factors. Monitoring these changes is crucial for sustainable development and resource management. This study focuses on analyzing the temporal variations in land use and land cover (LULC) from 2017 to 2023, along with evaluating slope variations using Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data. The primary aim of this study is to understand the spatial-temporal dynamics of LULC and slope variations in the study area, providing insights into landscape transformations and their implications for sustainable development. The study utilizes DEM data and satellite imagery to perform a detailed analysis of slope variations and LULC changes over the specified period. The slope data is categorized into five distinct classes, while the LULC analysis identifies changes in categories such as water bodies, tree cover, flooded vegetation, cropland, built-up areas, bare ground, and rangeland. The slope analysis reveals that the majority of the study area has low to moderate slopes, with the largest area (599.58 km²) falling within the 1.76 to 3.13 degrees range. LULC analysis shows a significant decrease in tree cover from 1189.98 km² in 2017 to 1030.59 km² in 2023, a substantial increase in built-up areas from 271.40 km² to 346.22 km², and a notable rise in cropland from 51.06 km² to 103.27 km². Water bodies increased from 23.91 km² to 28.48 km², while flooded vegetation slightly decreased from 98.90 km² to 88.45 km². Bare ground significantly decreased from 5.64 km² to 0.43 km², indicating successful land rehabilitation efforts. Rangeland also increased from 48.56 km² to 91.95 km². The predominance of gentle slopes in the study area facilitates diverse land use practices, particularly agriculture and urban development. However, the expansion of built-up areas and the decrease in tree cover suggest ongoing deforestation and urban sprawl, necessitating effective land use planning and conservation strategies. The increase in cropland reflects agricultural intensification, while the significant reduction in bare ground highlights successful land restoration efforts. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the topographic and LULC dynamics in Rivers State, underscoring the need for integrated land management approaches. The findings emphasize the importance of balancing development with environmental conservation to ensure sustainable use of resources. This study offers a detailed temporal analysis of LULC and slope variations in Rivers State, providing valuable insights into landscape dynamics and their implications for sustainable development. The use of DEM data for slope analysis combined with LULC monitoring over six years provides a robust framework for understanding environmental changes and informing policy decisions.