Application of Remote Sensing Techniques in Land Use Pattern Auditing of Ero Dam Catchment’s Basin

Abstract

There are many situations in which a better data base would improve our ability to audit changes that occur in our environment as a result of human interference. This is important especially when changes is extensive and numerous that their cumulative efforts can produce unforeseen results. Consequently, to have adequate appraisal of land use changes that occur at Ero Dam catchment's basin and to be able to prepare for or modify its diverse moods, remote sensing technique is employed. This involves the examination of physiographic map of 1983 and standard satellite images of Landsat MSS of 2003. The data were processed, enhanced and classified using Maximum Likelihood Classification System. The 4-Quadrant Pixel method of ground-truth and observation was utilized to determine the accuracy of the work. Therefore, map-to-map comparison was carried out using 1983 as a master to detect changes in the classified land use type in the area. The results were presented in maps and tables. In an overview from 1983-2003, the result show that agricultural land witness a reduction of size while water bodies witness a considerable increase of size. Other areas that witness increase are the built-up land, rangeland, wetland and barren land while forestland in addition to the agricultural land witnesses a decrease in size. It is obvious from the result that remote sensing technique is capable of monitoring land use changes that occur over time within a dam catchment's basin, especially when complimented with adequate ground-truth observation.