CHANGE DETECTION THROUGH TIME SERIES THERMATIC IMAGERY (1987-2001) IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, NIGERIA

Abstract

Federal Capital City is located in the central part of Nigeria; the study area covers a total land of 27281.9 ha. The problem facing the new federal capital city is destruction of vegetation as a result of rapid urban growth. This research work was aimed at accessing the current status of vegetation and built up area (road net work, baresoil and building construction). Satellite images of land sat 4TM 1987 and land sat 7 ETM of 2001 and ground truth were combined to access the changes that occurred ( 1987 and 2001). Result shows decrease of vegetation within Fourteen (14) years. The implication of the obseNed pattern is gradual replacement vegetation by building road network and bare soil, if not control it will result to gradual degradation of the entire environment given way to different environmental hazard