Effects of population growth on land cover change in Calabar South, Cross River State Nigeria

The study examined the resultant effects of population growth onland cover changes that were currently taking place in Calabar South. Features like urban green areas, wetlands, riparian forest and other forest and grassland ecosystems are currently giving way for new roads construction, residential and industrial layouts, recreation and amusement parks et. This is attributed to the current trends in rapid economic, social, cultural and political development that is taking place in Calabar. Data for the study was obtained from aerial photographs and was considered from 2004–2012. An arbitrary interval between 2005 to 2009 and 2010 to 2012 was adopted in determining the changes that have occurred in the area. Remote sensing and geographic information systems (Arc view GIS 9.3 software) technology was used in change detection analysis. The study revealed that the population of Calabar South has witnessed a steady upward trend from 185,787 to 191,630 between 1991 and 2006. On the other hand, the amount of built up area has correspondingly increased from 19.791 square kilometers from 2005 – 2009 (with an average of 0.756 square kilometers natural land cover change per year) to 26.495 square kilometers from 2010– 2012 (with an average of 2.235 square kilometers natural land cover change per year). Within the said period of 2005 to 2012, about 10.485 square kilometers of land cover change has occurred. It was further observed that the accelerated land cover change was more rapid between 2010 and 2012, a period that is also synonymous with severe environmental challenges, most particularly flooding.