CHARACTERIZATION OF THE IMPACT OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT ON DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION IN AKURE ENVIRON, ONDO STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper characterized the nature, trends, and future projection of the impacts of urban development on the land-use conversion of forest cover in Akure environment. The study analyzed the land use and land cover (LULC) changes in Akure environment over the past 40 years and projected the potential influence of future development on the forest cover in the study area. LULC transitions were mapped from years between 1991 and 2023 using Landsat data. The years were divided into 4 epochs within the time frame, 1991, 2002, 2016, and 2023 based on major developmental policy shifts. The results showed that between the periods of investigation, dense vegetation massively decreased from 561Sqkm to 166 Sqkm of total land cover, while built-up areas grew from 34sqkm to 162sqkm. The decrease in Vegetation cover was also accounted for by the increase in the bare surface from 132 Sqkm to 430sqkm. The bare surfaces largely include infrastructure development, land preparation for new development, and exposed rock outcrops from mining activities. Transition modeling done using the CA-Markov model predicts that built-up area would increase to 209sqkm, bare land increased to 447sqkm while dense vegetation decreased to 138 Sqkm in the year 2033. The study predicted that land conversion for urban development will continue dislocating the ecological balance between soft and hard landscape in Akure environ and this will further contribute to increased emission and reduction in carbon sequestration. The paper recommended ecological balance backed by concrete policy from the government that encourages urban green, urban agriculture, and the introduction of green corridors in urban infrastructure to enhance carbon sinks in the city.