Analyzing Land Cover Changes (2013-2024) Using Remote Sensing: A Case Study of Lagos City, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines land cover changes in Lagos State, Nigeria, utilizing remote sensing techniques to understand the dynamics and implications of land cover changes emanating from rapid urbanization processes. In the use of Landsat satellite images spanning 2013 to 2024, a supervised classification technique was utilized in categorizing land cover into five classes namely: bare soil, vegetation, canopy, water, and built-up areas. The analysis revealed that there was significant upshot in built-up and bare soil areas, accompanied by a decline in canopy and vegetation, highlighting the environmental and socio-economic urbanization pressure. Notable findings include the identification of land cover transitions which are dominant, such as the conversion of vegetation and canopy to built-up areas, as well as evidence of land cover change intensifications near water bodies. This study highlights the potential of remote sensing for tracking land cover changes and offers insights for sustainable urban planning and environmental conservation. These findings contribute to the understanding of urban growth and land cover change patterns in cities which are developing rapidly and emphasize the importance of the integration of geospatial tools into environmental planning and policy frameworks.