MAPPING LAND USE DYNAMICS IN IREPODUN LAND SPACE USING REMOTE SE

Land use dynamics, the study of how land use patterns change over time and space, has become a crucial area of research in understanding the interplay between human activities and the environment. The increasing pace of urbanization, agricultural expansion, deforestation, and industrial development has led to profound changes in land use across the globe. This study examines land use dynamics in Irepodun, southwestern Nigeria, focusing on the interplay between human activities and environmental changes over the years 2004, 2014, and 2024. The aim is to map land use and land cover (LULC) changes, assess trends, and calculate the land absorption coefficient (LAC) and land consumption rate (LCR). Objectives include acquiring NASA LANDSAT images for 2004, and LANDSAT 8 images for 2014 and 2024, creating LULC maps, and determining changes in land use types and rates. The methodology involves preprocessing and classifying satellite images, performing change detection analysis, and conducting spatial analysis using GIS tools. Supervised classification and accuracy assessments ensure reliable LULC maps, while change matrices and overlay analyses quantify land cover transitions. Statistical methods are employed to detect trends, and LCR and LAC calculations assess the efficiency of land use changes. Results indicate significant land use changes, including increased urbanization and deforestation. Built-up areas expanded substantially, leading to habitat fragmentation and environmental degradation. Agricultural practices shifted, impacting soil quality and local biodiversity. The LCR and LAC reveal varying efficiency in land use relative to population growth, highlighting areas of rapid urban expansion. In conclusion, the study underscores the urgent need for sustainable land management strategies in Irepodun. Recommendations include promoting reforestation, sustainable agricultural practices, and controlled urban development to balance economic growth with environmental conservation. The integration of remote sensing and GIS technologies offers valuable insights for policymakers, aiding in the formulation of informed, adaptive land use policies for future sustainability.