Influence Of Land Use/Land Cover On Land Surface Temperature In Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

The research was carried out to assess the land use and land cover (LULC) changes in Lagos State for 23 years as well as its impact on the land surface temperature. Landsat 8 images of the years 2000 and 2023 were downloaded and analyzed to determine these changes using supervised classification method after which the land surface temperature was estimated using appropriate formula where necessary. The result showed that barren land and built-up areas increased in 2000 from 0.16% and 47.03% to 5.84% and 50.80% respectively while vegetation and water body decreased from 36.43% and 16.39% to 28.81% and 14.55% respectively. Also, land surface temperature ranged from 17.04°C to 35.38°C in 2000 while in 2023, 17.54°C to 39.85°C. Within the 23yrs of the research, it showed that land use and land cover changes in the state impacted the temperature increase which was majorly caused by the reduction in vegetation and water body. The research conclude that Lagos is becoming warmer and therefore the research recommend that urban forestry should be encouraged by the government.