Examining the Relationship between Green Space Depletion and the Urban Heat Island Effect in Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47514/kjg.2025.07.01.013Keywords:
Green Space Depletion, Urban Heat Island, Land Surface Temperature, Urban Hotspots, Sokoto MetropolisAbstract
This study examined green space depletion (GSD) and its relationship with the urban heat island (UHI) effect in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Landsat TM, ETM+, and OLI/TIRS bands and land surface temperature (LST) data for the periods 2000, 2015, and 2025 were obtained from the USGS Earth Explorer. The images were analysed, where land surface temperature (LST) extent, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were generated. Analysis of NDVI maps for the period indicates a consistent decline in vegetation cover, where vegetated areas decreased from approximately 42% in 2000 to 32% in 2015 and further to approximately 20% in 2025. This represents a total vegetation loss of more than 50% over 25 years across the metropolis. Findings reveal that the city experienced a nearly 100% increase in high-temperature surface coverage within 25 years, confirming a rapidly intensifying UHI effect. There is a significant negative correlation between the LST and NDVI, indicating that low NDVI values tend to have relatively high LST values, contributing to the formation of UHI hotspots. Central, southern, and western areas (Mabera, Kasarawa, Runjin Sambo, and Guiwa low-cost/Guiwa village) exhibited high UHI intensity. These areas happened to get minimal green spaces. The study concludes that there is spatial concurrence of GSD and UHI hotspots. This manifested in a clear spatial association between areas of GSD and UHI hotspots; impervious, densely built areas that exhibit higher LSTs. This study recommends robust re-greening efforts and the safeguarding of green spaces in the Sokoto metropolis to mitigate the UHI effect.
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