ASSESSMENT OF CHANGES IN LAND USE/LAND COVER AND MORPHOLOGY OF LAKE NJUWA, YOLA ADAMAWA STATE,NIGERIA

This paper is aimed at assessing the temporal trends in land use / land cover changes around Njuwa lake, it will as well assess changes in the physical characteristics of the lake especially changes in its aerial extent over the period of 30 years (1975 ? 2005) and the socio-economic consequences of these changes. Data for the study were obtained from analysis of satellite images (LandSat images of 1975 1985 and 2005 to assess land use / land cover changes and aerial extent of lake Njuwa using ArcGIS 9.3. Questionnaires were also administered to randomly selected respondents to provide information on the socioeconomic impact and response to changes in the morphology of lake Njuwa. The result shows a significance change in land use land cover to the effect that built up area expanded from 6% to 45% between 1975 and 2005,and significant reduction in the Lakes aerial extent, with the total percentage change of 33% between 1975 and 2005. There was also expansion in crop lands from 8% in 1975 to 23% in 2005. This implies more sediment and water were delivered to the lake which invariably leads to siltation of the lake, and reduction in its aerial extent. Based on these findings, use of agro forestry and other restoration efforts were recommended.