ANALYSIS OF LAND USE LAND COVER CHANGE OF AZARE TOWN IN KATAGUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

This research aims to assess Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes in Azare Town, Katagum LGA, Bauchi State, utilizing GIS and Remote Sensing. The objectives include identifying the distribution of land use and land cover from 2003 to 2023, assessing the accuracy of classifications, and understanding patterns of change in LULC classes. Using Landsat imagery for 2003, 2013, and 2023, the study classifies data into four observed classes: Built-up areas, bare surface, riparian forest, and vegetation. The results reveal significant changes, particularly in the built-up area, which increased by about 216%, indicating substantial urbanization and infrastructure development. Other classes experienced varied changes, with vegetation increasing by 77%, riparian areas decreasing by 34%, and bare land decreasing by 57% over the study period. Accuracy assessment, with an overall accuracy consistently exceeding 90% and a kappa index surpassing 80%, validates the reliability of the LULC assessment. The study contributes to creating a comprehensive LULC map for Azare Town, offering valuable insights for environmental monitoring, urban planning, and policymaking. Additionally, it advances the methodological application of GIS and Remote Sensing in urban and regional assessment