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Land Use and Land Cover Changes: A Case Study in Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Olanrewaju H. Ologunde

    (Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, Global Food Systems Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Mordiyah O. Kelani

    (Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta P.M.B. 2240, Nigeria)

  • Moges K. Biru

    (Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, Global Food Systems Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Abdullahi B. Olayemi

    (Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria P.M.B. 1044, Nigeria)

  • Márcio R. Nunes

    (Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, Global Food Systems Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

Abstract

Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) assessment is vital for achieving sustainable ecosystems. This study quantified and mapped the spatiotemporal LULC changes in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria, between 2015 and 2023. The LULC was classified into water, forest or thick bush, sparse vegetation, built-up, and bare land using Landsat images. Processing, classification, and image analysis were done using the ESRI ArcGIS Pro 3.3. LULC changed from 2015 to 2023, with built-up areas and sparse vegetation increasing by 138.2 km 2 and 28.7 km 2 , respectively. In contrast, forest or thick bush, which had the greatest change among the LULC classes, decreased by 153.7 km 2 over this period while bare land and water bodies decreased by 9.5 km 2 and 3.8 km 2 , respectively. Forest or thick bush (201.0 km 2 ) was converted to sparse vegetation, which reflects an increase in agricultural activities in the region. The conversion of about 109.8 km 2 of vegetation and 3.7 km 2 of water bodies to built-up areas highlights considerable urbanization. Overall, the increase in the built-up area highlights the need for sustainable land use practices to balance urban growth with ecological preservation, achievable through effective management and policy frameworks.

Suggested Citation

  • Olanrewaju H. Ologunde & Mordiyah O. Kelani & Moges K. Biru & Abdullahi B. Olayemi & Márcio R. Nunes, 2025. "Land Use and Land Cover Changes: A Case Study in Nigeria," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:389-:d:1590101
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sunday Opeyemi Okeleye & Appollonia Aimiosino Okhimamhe & Safietou Sanfo & Christine Fürst, 2023. "Impacts of Land Use and Land Cover Changes on Migration and Food Security of North Central Region, Nigeria," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-23, May.
    2. Taylor Smith & Niklas Boers, 2023. "Global vegetation resilience linked to water availability and variability," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Maomao Zhang & Enqing Chen & Cheng Zhang & Chen Liu & Jianxing Li, 2024. "Multi-Scenario Simulation of Land Use Change and Ecosystem Service Value Based on the Markov–FLUS Model in Ezhou City, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-23, July.
    4. Sonam Wangyel Wang & Belay Manjur Gebru & Munkhnasan Lamchin & Rijan Bhakta Kayastha & Woo-Kyun Lee, 2020. "Land Use and Land Cover Change Detection and Prediction in the Kathmandu District of Nepal Using Remote Sensing and GIS," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-18, May.
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    2. Liehui Zhi & Usman Abdullahi & Qingyue Zhang & Xin Wang & Xiaowen Li, 2025. "Dynamics of Ecosystem Services Driven by Land Use Change Under Natural and Anthropogenic Driving Trajectories in the Kaduna River Basin, Nigeria," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, March.

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