ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGES ON GULLY ERODED LANDSCAPE IN GOMBE METROPOLIS, GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Gully erosion is a critical global issue that hinders sustainable development in agriculture and general land use. Therefore, this study analyses the impact of land use/land cover changes on gully eroded landscape in Gombe Metropolis, Gombe State, Nigeria with the following objectives: analysis of the landuse/Landcover changes in Gombe Metropolis, examine the gully eroded landscape expansion in the Study area from 1993 to 2023 and analyses causal relationship between Land use /Land cover Change and Gully Eroded Landscapes Expansion. The study used low resolution landsat imageries covering the study area were used for analysis in GIS environment to extract landuse-Landcover parameters and the extent of gully eroded land in the study area. The study employed correlation and regression statistical tools to analyze the relationship and impact of landuse/cover changes on gully eroded land extent. The study revealed that the built-up area experienced a steady increase from 10.85km2 in 1993 to 49.94 km2 in 2023, while vegetated areas decreased from 8.8km2 in 1993 to only 1.98km2 in 2023. The total area covered by gully eroded land in the study area is 44.95 sq km. However, there is a surprising negative relationship between urban vegetation and rainfall. Vegetation cover is a major driver of erosion, and there is a weak positive relationship between built-up and vegetation, and built-up and eroded land area. More so, landuse/landcover variables were observed to have statistically significant impact or causal relationship with gully eroded landscape in Gombe metropolis (p = 0.002, R2 = 0.564, df = 6, F = 5.453, SE = 2.34556E). this study concluded that gully erosion development in the study area is on the increase as influenced by changes in the rate of land use land cover, which is causing serious land degradation thereby affecting the people and their economic activities. The study calls for protective strategies and measures for environmental management to reduce gully erosion development and better land use conservation practices. Changes in land use planning in Gombe metropolis should be made to address expansion and drought-resistant plants like Pitadeniastrum africanum (kashe kwari or kafi kansila) can effectively help in gully erosion control.