CORRELATION ASSESSMENT BETWEEN LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE AND LAND USE LAND COVER- A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ABUJA (35YEARS)

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the correlation between land surface temperature (LST) and land use land cover (LULC) in Abuja's Federal Capital Territory over 35 years (1987-2022) using GIS and remote sensing techniques. The aim was to assess how LST relates to LULC changes in this Nigerian region. The research employed USGS Landsat data for the years 1987, 2002, 2011, and 2022, processing and classifying it with ENVI 5.2 software and further analysis in ARC-GIS. The study reveals significant shifts in LULC. Over the 35-year period, 1,761.85 km² of forestland was lost, while built-up and barren land increased by 881.74 km² and 73.93 km², respectively. In 1987, forests had the lowest average LST at 28.43°C, followed by shrubland at 28.86°C and grassland at 30.02°C. Average LST values increased notably across all land cover types by 2002 and 2011. However, in 2022, some land cover types exhibited a slight decrease in LST, particularly in builtup areas, where the temperature dropped to 39.73°C. The study also identifies correlations between LULC categories and their corresponding temperature. These findings hold significance for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental scientists, offering insights into the temperature dynamics and environmental consequences of rapid urbanization over the 35-year period.