Trend Analysis of Landcover/ Landuse Change in Patani L.G.A, Delta State Nigeria

This study examines the use of GIS and Remote Sensing in trend analysis of landcover/landuse change in Patani L.G.A, Delta State Nigeria from 2005 to 2015. Thus the study is to carry out a multi-temporal analysis of development trends, thereby detecting the changes that have taken place between these periods. Two Landsat images, Landsat 7ETM+ (2005) and Landsat 8OLI (2015) were acquired, classified and change detection analysis was performed to determine the multi-temporal landcover/landuse changes between the years. The results showed that vegetation decreased from 16673.73 hectares in 2005 to 15973.9 hectares in 2015 covering 75.45% of landcover/landuse class in the study area, built up area gained from 3684.03 hectares in 2005 to 4346.37 hectares in 2015 covering 20.53 % in the study area, while water bodies also increased from 812.29 hectares in 2005 to 849.78 hectares in 2015 covering 4% of the study area. The study also indicated that the annual growth rate of Built up area has increased at 0.82% from 2005 to 2015, vegetation decreasing significantly at the rate of -0.21% from 2005 to 2015, and water bodies also increasing at a rate of 0.22% from 2005 to 2015. The results from this study can serve as a base for decision making and planning for urban planning and regional developments in Patani L.G.A.