Geospatial Analysis of Climate Change Impacts on Vegetation Dynamics in Owerri West, Imo State

Climate change is a global phenomenon with profound effects on the environment, economies, and societies. It refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time. This study explores the impact of climate change on vegetation in Owerri West, Imo State, Nigeria, using geospatial techniques over a 20-year period (2003–2023). By analyzing satellite imagery and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values alongside key climatic variables such as precipitation and land surface temperature (LST), the research seeks to quantify the extent of vegetation changes due to climate variability. The study uses Landsat 8 satellite data to evaluate spatiotemporal trends in vegetation health. NDVI values in 2003 ranged from a high of 0.45, indicating healthy and dense vegetation, to a low of -0.04, representing barren areas. By 2013, NDVI values had drastically declined, with a maximum of 0.12 and a minimum of -0.33, despite an increase in precipitation from 3300 mm (2003) to 3900 mm (2013). This decline suggests that other factors, such as extreme weather events or urbanization, contributed to vegetation stress. In 2023, NDVI values showed partial recovery, with a maximum of 0.28 and a minimum of 0.05, although precipitation levels dropped to a range of 600 mm to 540 mm. The broader temperature range in 2023, with a maximum of 32°C and a minimum of 17°C, likely reduced heat stress, allowing for vegetation recovery, though still below the 2003 levels, The findings highlight the complex interplay between climatic variables and vegetation health, where precipitation and temperature changes significantly influence vegetation dynamics. However, the NDVI decline in 2013, despite high precipitation, suggests that anthropogenic factors like urbanization and land use changes also play a critical role. This research emphasizes the importance of integrating remote sensing and GIS for monitoring vegetation responses to climate change. The study calls for sustainable land management practices and climate adaptation strategies to enhance vegetation resilience in the region.