Assessment of Satellite Imageries in Mapping Agricultural Lands for Use in Land Use Conflict Resolution in Parts of Plateau State, Central Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the landuse conflict between cattle herdsmen and farmers in Plateau state, Nigeria. It analyzed the landuse and landcover dynamics of the study area between 1986 and 2014 and identified the trance-humance routes, grazing corridors and conflict zones in the area. It went further to determine the optimal farming and grazing zones using GIS multi-criteria analysis. The study made use of Landsat images of 1986, 2001 and 2014, elevation data (SRTM) of 2014, topographic map of 1970 and grazing cover map of 1980. Supervised classification of the satellite images were performed using the maximum likelihood classifier and validated by field observation and verification. Multi-criteria analysis was performed to determine the optimal areas suitable for farming and areas suitable for grazing which expected to minimize or completely eliminate the frequent conflicts in the study area. The study revealed that dense and light vegetation areas, and agricultural lands witnessed much reduction while waterbody, rock out-crops, built-up areas and barren lands increased. The result of the multi-criterial analysis produced potential grazing and farming area at about 1328.7km2 and 1102.4km2 respectively. The study further highlighted the necessary technical procedures and details that can culminate permanent resolution of landuse conflicts between the herdsmen and farmers in Plateau state in particular and in Nigeria in general.