Analysis of Land Use Changes in Nigeria: With Application of Integrated Bio-economic Spatial Model

Abstract

This paper presents results of analysis of land use changes in Nigeria, using the integrated bio-economic spatial model. Land use change is currently gaining global attention of researchers and policy makers, given the social, economic and environmental implications of land use and landscape changes. Understanding current land use situation and changes and projecting likely effects of current land use is important for sustainable development. Data for this study include social, economic, soil, crop production, vegetative and other relevant data. The data came from both primary and secondary sources. Data were also sourced from expert knowledge. Spatial maps of soil characteristics, land use patterns, vegetative cover, population density and rainfall patterns were produced. The maps show wide variations in spatial characteristics of the variables considered across the state. The results of gross margin analysis indicate that some particular crop combinations show better economic prospect than others. While the results from the study so far have been revealing, the analysis is still inconclusive, given that this is a progress report. The next phase of the study is to analyse the ecologic implications of current land use (or farming systems) in the study area and examine the trade-off between economic and ecologic factors.