Modibbo SALEH2023-09-222023-09-222019-05-15https://teras.ng/api/asset/document/94d66f0a-1f4b-4fc8-8aac-4ba9ce5540a8https://teras.ng/catalog-item/dd34ae60-a5fc-4b87-8b4f-83d044892757http://dspace.teras-network.net:4000/handle/123456789/40083Bauchi State of Nigeria has undergone rapid land cover changes from natural and anthropogenic sources from 1976 to 2015. This in turn affects the natural resource base, hence a threat to the entire ecosystem. The study assesses the spatio-temporal changes of the vegetation cover in Bauchi. Remote Sensing, GIS techniques and questionnaire administration were employed to collect the data needed to address the research objectives. Multi-temporal satellite data (Land Sat Multi Spectral Scanner 1976 and Operational Land Imager 2015) were used for land cover-land cover (LULC) classification using Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC) tool resulting in land cover map of 1976 and 2015. They were further analysed for changes using the Post- Classification Comparison Technique. The SPOT-NDVI data of 1998 and 2014 with 8km resolution were used to generate vegetation density map using NDVI differencing method resulting in four density classes: low (0.1-0.2), medium (0.2-0.3), high(0.3-0.4) and very high (>0.4). A regression statistics was used to test for relationship between NDVI, rainfall and temperature. The data on the driving factors of vegetation changes were obtained through semi-structured questionnaire. The Findings revealed that the settled/cultivated land increased by 3918.4 km2 (35.8%) with an annual rate of changes of 14.32% followed by Shrubbed Woodland Hills by 1550.4 km2 (14.2%) with annual rate of changes of 5.60%. While, the other vegetation cover types decreased. The results also indicated that the area coverage very high NDVI density class had decreased by - 2991 km2 (50%) with annual rate of change of -8, NDVI high density class had increases by +1615 km2 (27%) with annual rate of change +4.3, NDVI medium density class had increased by 1099 km2 (18.4%) with annual rate of change of +2.9 and NDVI low density class had increased by +277 km2 (4.6%) with annual rate of change + 0.74. The regression coefficients showed a strong relationship between NDVI, rainfall and temperature from 1998 to 2014 because of regression coefficient (R2 = 0.72) recorded in 1998, (R2 = 0.64) in 2006 and (R2 = 0.5) in 2014. The study further established a strong effect of anthropogenic activities on vegetation cover changes as majority of the respondents (99%) used fire wood in the study area. Therefore, awareness of the reality, magnitude and implications of vegetation cover changes should be raised among vegetation resource users, and the need for government to improve on shortfall of supply of other forms of alternative domestic energy source in the study area, areas part of recommendations made in this study.Post Graduate Theses