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Agriculture

Land Use and Land Cover Changes Impact Water Quality in Nigeria

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Federal University of Agriculture has investigated the effects of land use and land cover changes on water quality in the Eleyele catchment area of Ibadan, Nigeria. The study, which covered a period of 35 years (1984-2019), found that urbanization and industrial activities were the primary drivers of water quality degradation. The researchers used Geographic Information Systems and Landsat TM imagery to analyze the changes in land use and land cover, and their findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring and policy interventions to protect water quality and maintain ecosystem health.

Key Takeaways:

  • The total area of the Eleyele catchment map for all land use and land cover classes in 2019 was 290.98 km2.
  • Agriculture covered 196.92 km2 in 1984 and 172.5 km2 in 2019, while forest areas covered 231.88 km2 in 1984 and 85.69 km2 in 2019.
  • Urban areas expanded from 16.26 km2 in 1984 to 183.87 km2 in 2019, and the water body increased from 5.90 km2 in 1984 to 8.82 km2 in 2019.
  • Urbanization and industrial activities emerged as the primary drivers of water quality degradation corresponding with land use and land cover changes between 1984 and 2019.
  • The researchers recommend policies aimed at protecting water quality and maintaining ecosystem health, including reforestation, afforestation, implementation of green infrastructure, and wetland protection and restoration.
  • The study suggests that the Eleyele catchment area is vulnerable to water quality degradation due to the rapid expansion of urban and industrial activities.

Statistics:

  • 196.92 km2 of land area was covered by agriculture in 1984.
  • 172.5 km2 of land area was covered by agriculture in 2019.
  • 231.88 km2 of land area was covered by forest in 1984.
  • 85.69 km2 of land area was covered by forest in 2019.
  • 16.26 km2 of land area was urbanized in 1984.
  • 183.87 km2 of land area was urbanized in 2019.
  • 5.90 km2 of land area was water in 1984.
  • 8.82 km2 of land area was water in 2019.
  • The total area of the Eleyele catchment map for all land use and land cover classes in 2019 was 290.98 km2.

Sources:

  • Assessment of impacts of land use, land cover on water quality in Eleyele catchment area, Ibadan, south-western Nigeria. Discover Water, 2025,5(1):1-26. (https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00275-1)
  • NewsRx. Researchers from Federal University of Agriculture Report on Findings in Agriculture (Assessment of impacts of land use, land cover on water quality in Eleyele catchment area, Ibadan, south-western Nigeria). Agriculture Week. September 18, 2025; p 4575.

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