Assessment of Major Factors of Climate Change within the Period 1990-2024 in North-Western Region of Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.2025206Keywords:
Climate Change, Environmental Degradation, Vulnerability Assessment, Sustainable Land ManagementAbstract
This study examines the escalating environmental degradation in three states of North-West Nigeria (Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara), focusing on desertification and drought as critical manifestations of climate change. The region, characterized by low and erratic rainfall (500-800mm annually) and rising temperatures, is experiencing significant land degradation, including soil erosion, vegetation loss, and declining soil fertility. Drought events are becoming more frequent and severe, jeopardizing agriculture and food security for the largely rain-fed farming population. Using climate data from 1990 to 2024 and survey data from 1050 randomly selected respondents across the three states, the research analyzes temperature and precipitation trends, spatial patterns of desertification, the role of human activities, and identifies vulnerability hotspots. Key findings include a regional temperature increase of 1.8°C, a 10.2% decline in annual precipitation, and a 64.7% rise in areas with moderate to severe desertification across the three states. Katsina exhibits the highest vulnerability with 28.5% of its area under severe desertification. The study highlights the impact of human activities, such as fuelwood collection and overgrazing, on desertification and identifies key vulnerability hotspots in the northern parts of these states and around urban centers. It recommends integrated interventions, including landscape restoration, sustainable land management, and policy reforms, to combat desertification and enhance resilience, aiming to foster sustainable development in the region.
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