Assessment of Land Use and Land Cover Change and Urbanization Effects on Gully Erosion in Tunfure, Akko Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Urbanization is a major driver of environmental degradation, including erosion with associated socio- economic consequences. This is the case in Tunfure, Akko Local Government, Gombe State, where expansion of urban activities has resulted in increased surface runoff and gully erosion. This study examined the effect of urbanization on Gully Erosion using remote sensing techniques and software such as ArcGIS. Landsat 7and 8 Imagery of 2002, 2013 and 2022 were downloaded from USGS Earth Explorer. DEM data was used to generate slope map, aspect, Flow accumulation, flow direction, and watershed delineation using the spatial analyst tool on the Arc Toolbox. DEM data was used to generate the erosion Flow path. Results showed that the built-up area increased from 8.5% to 42.6% between 2013 and 2022. Bareland also decreased from 66.30% to 45.02%, vegetation decreased from 20.14% to 1.06%, and sand deposit increased from 5.5% to 11.25% of the total area within the same period (2013 and 2022). Water flow maps of the study area at different periods showed that in 2002, the study area had multiple major erosion pathways known as river tributaries, while in 2013 and 2022, the tributaries had reduced. This disappearance of water flow pathways may be linked to urban expansion as well as the concentration of urban activities on water flow channels. In view of the above, there is a need for a comprehensive urban planning which will prioritize sustainable land use and zoning regulations to limit constructions in gully erosion-prone areas and pathways.