Assessing desertification vulnerability and mitigation strategies in northern Nigeria: A comprehensive approach
Ibrahim I. Yahaya,
Yongdong Wang,
Zhijie Zhang,
Abubakar Y. Inuwa,
Yazhou Zhao,
Yuan You,
Hamisu A. Basiru,
Friday Uchenna Ochege,
Zhou Na,
Chukwuka P. Ogbue,
Murad Muhammad,
Yeneayehu F. Mihertu,
Isah A. Tanko,
Waseem Shoukat
Affiliations
Ibrahim I. Yahaya
National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
Yongdong Wang
National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; Corresponding author.
Zhijie Zhang
School of Geography Development, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA; Aero Geophysical and Remote Sensing Centre of China Geological Survey Beijing, 100083, China
Abubakar Y. Inuwa
Federal Polytechnic Daura Katsina State 820001, Nigeria
Yazhou Zhao
National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
Yuan You
National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
Hamisu A. Basiru
Hussain Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Jigawa State, Nigeria
Friday Uchenna Ochege
Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323 Choba, East-West, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Zhou Na
National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
Chukwuka P. Ogbue
National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
Murad Muhammad
National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
Yeneayehu F. Mihertu
National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
Isah A. Tanko
Nigerian Meteorological Agency, National Weather Forecasting, and Climate Research Centre, Kano State, 700004, Nigeria
Waseem Shoukat
National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
Desertification constitutes a grave threat to the environmental and socio-economic stability of desertification frontline states in Northern Nigeria. From 2003 to 2020, this research comprehensively analyzes desertification vulnerability, integrating parameters such as NDVI, LST, TVDI, MSAVI, and Albedo. Key factors contributing to land degradation are identified, along with the spatial patterns and trends of desertification over the two-decade period. The consequences are profound, with Northern Nigeria's ecosystem experiencing a steady decline in vegetation cover. Agriculture, vital to the region's economy, faces increased aridity and reduced arable land, jeopardizing food security. Diminishing water resources exacerbates scarcity issues, placing additional strain on communities. These environmental changes lead to severe socio-economic implications, including displacement, loss of livelihoods, and heightened vulnerability to climate-related risks. Urgent, comprehensive, and strategic interventions are imperative. Policy recommendations underscore revising and enforcing land use regulations, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and establishing monitoring systems to guide decision-making. This research contributes practical strategies to enhance the resilience of desertification frontline states, safeguard livelihoods, and align with Nigeria's sustainable development objectives. Findings from the study indicate that only a tiny percentage (6.7 %) of the study area remains unaffected by desertification. Moreover, 13.3 % exhibit light vulnerability, 20 % demonstrate moderate exposure, and 60 % fall into the severe (26.7 %) and compelling (33.3 %) vulnerability categories. These statistics underscore the gravity of desertification in the study area, emphasizing the urgent need for effective mitigation measures to address its impact comprehensively.
