Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index, Normalize Difference Buildup Index, and Land Surface Temperature between 1987 and 2023 in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Nigeria

Abstract

Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) is experiencing rapid urban expansion, which is expected to impact land surface temperatures (LST). This paper evaluates the trends in soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), normalize difference buildup index (NDBI), and land surface temperature (LST) between 1987 and 2023 in AMAC using Landsat 4 Thematic Mapper and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager/Thermal Infrared Sensor imagery, respectively. Results show that in 1987, SAVI ranged from -0.126 to 0.477, NDBI from -0.186 to 0.678, and LST from 27.18 to 46.4 oC. In 2023, SAVI ranged from -0.253 to 0.71, NDBI from -0.308 to 0.619, and LST from 23.89 to 46.57 oC. Analysis showed an increase in vegetation in 2023 compared to 1987. Built-up and bareland areas became more concentrated in the northeast in 2023 compared to 1987, and temperature reductions were observed in areas with increased vegetation, notably in the south and southwest. Correlation analysis indicated a strong negative relationship (-0.772) between SAVI and LST in 1987, weakening in 2023 (-0.389). NDBI and LST remained moderately positively correlated (0.645 in 1987, 0.621 in 2023). Significant differences (P<0.01) were observed between 1987 and 2023 SAVI, NDBI, and LST values. These findings have important implications for environmental monitoring, and urban planning in rapidly urbanizing areas such as AMAC