Spatial and Multi-Temporal Change Analysis of the Niger Delta Coastline Using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS)

Abstract

The Niger Delta is one of the most dynamic deltas in the world. It is experiencing relatively strong environmental changes resulting from the complex interaction of natural and human-induced processes that operate upon it. The research focuses on the Niger Delta coastline change detection and vulnerability assessment to coastline changes using remote sensing and geographical information system. The change detection involves, processing of multi-temporal images (1972-2008), followed by image differencing, post classification image overlaying, image fusion, image visual interpretation and on-screen digitising. The result shows that the image differencing and post-classification image overlaying change detection techniques are useful to monitor coastline change. The image visual interpretation and on-screen digitising is the main quantitative method to detect the Niger Delta coastline change. The coast line was analyzed in sections starting and terminating a major river mouths. Quantitative measurement and analysis showed that for most of the coast line sections there have been period of erosion and accretion over the 36 year study period. Only very few sections show consistent erosion or accretion over the years. The natural fluvial and marine factors and also human activities played an important role on this development..