Land Use Land Cover Dynamics of Upper Benue River Basin, Nigeria

This study examined land use cover (LULC) dynamics in Upper Benue River Basin, Nigeria. The makes of primary and secondary data. Landsat Imageries for the years 1981, 2001 2021 were used study. Supervised approach with maximum likelihood classifier was adopted classification generation LULC maps. Markov Cellular Automata model to predict status catchment year 2070. findings reveal remarkable changes Basin. has witnessed downward trend percentage area covered by vegetation bare surface resulting 15.4% 2.6% losses respectively. result reveals that built-up rock outcrop shown significant gains 15.2% 2.9% Water body been stable 0% change, though, it a marginal decline 2001. change observed Basin as anthropogenic factors characterized deforestation, expansion agricultural lands, overgrazing among others. Based on findings, recommended controlled grazing activity, deforestation indiscriminate fuelwood exploitation improved agronomic practices basin.