Impact of Deforestation on Land Surface Temperature in Northern Part of Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyses the change in vegetation and land surface temperature as a result of deforestation in northern part of Bauchi State, Nigeria using Landsat 8 OLI. The study employed both remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to analyze the trend over a period of 33 years in northern part of Bauchi State, where a typical cycle of forest destruction is evident. Linear regression was used to determine the linear relationship between the vegetation abundance with Land Surface Temperature. From the NDVI and temperature change map for 1986 to 2002, the study area shows changes with reflectance 0.53 high and -0.66 low for NDVI while 12.75 high and -21.43 low for temperature. Similarly, the NDVI and Temperature change map for 2002-2018, the study area witnessed significant increase in the changed area with 0.68 and -0.52 high and low reflectance values of 17.82 high and -14.97 low temperature changes respectively. The results revealed that, decrease in vegetation abundance in the study area resulted to a relative increase in land surface temperature. It is therefore recommended that, further research should be conducted to cover the entire Bauchi State in order to have a holistic view, hence policy and decision for combating desertification.

Keywords: Deforestation, GIS, Remote Sensing, NDVI, LST, Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS