No abstract

Changing vegetation affects microclimates, groundwater tables, desertification, and biodiversity at the landscape level. The objective of this study is to assess the land cover dynamics and local perception of the influence of land use on vegetation change in Katsina State, Nigeria. Remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS)-based analysis, key informant interviews, and a semi-structured questionnaire covering 400 households were used to examine the driving forces behind vegetation change across Katsina State. As a result of the household survey, 86.5% (n = 400) of respondents reported a decline in vegetation in the study area, aligning with the Land Use Land Cover analysis phase of the study. The key drivers behind the observed vegetation depletion in the study area include firewood collection, charcoal production, and population growth. There has been an increasing awareness that education has emerged as one of the most significant socioeconomic factors influencing respondents' perceptions of these drivers. In spite of this, the unsustainable vegetation changes observed in this study have a negative impact on rural livelihoods and the management of natural resources in rural areas. This study recommends the implementation of sustainable land use policies that promote land-use practises that support economic growth and development.

In recent years, Nigeria is witnessing increasing frequency of flood occurrence with devastating impact translating into significant loss of lives (in Nigeria, over 300 people died in September 2022) and properties. Addressing flood disaster requires holistic approach from policy and governance perspectives, integration of policies and programs and synergies between institutions. Using synergies and eliminating trade-offs, flood governance and policy coherence integrate all relevant policy fields and institutions to achieve common policy outcomes. The objective of this study is to examine and understand how flood governance and policy coherence are approached, as well as institutional design and implementation for coherence in Nigeria. The findings revealed that there is no single flood policy in Nigeria. Due to this, there is no focus and no defined objectives for flood governance, prevention, control, and management, and no imperative for the government to seek both short-term and long-term flood solutions. There is no synergy and coordination among institutions for flood governance in the country. Since the country established the federal ministry of environment in 1999, the environment, floods, and climate-related hazards were given less priority. State and local governments handle most flood disasters and emergencies. Federal assistance is provided, however, when flood disasters exceed the capabilities of local and state governments. This study recommends that across the country, flood policy needs to be designed, formulated, and implemented while assigning governance responsibility and decentralizing policy to state and local governments.

In recent years, Nigeria is witnessing increasing frequency of flood occurrence with devastating impact translating into significant loss of lives (in Nigeria, over 300 people died in September 2022) and properties. Addressing flood disaster requires holistic approach from policy and governance perspectives, integration of policies and programs and synergies between institutions. Using synergies and eliminating trade-offs, flood governance and policy coherence integrate all relevant policy fields and institutions to achieve common policy outcomes. The objective of this study is to examine and understand how flood governance and policy coherence are approached, as well as institutional design and implementation for coherence in Nigeria. The findings revealed that there is no single flood policy in Nigeria. Due to this, there is no focus and no defined objectives for flood governance, prevention, control, and management, and no imperative for the government to seek both short-term and long-term flood solutions. There is no synergy and coordination among institutions for flood governance in the country. Since the country established the federal ministry of environment in 1999, the environment, floods, and climate-related hazards were given less priority. State and local governments handle most flood disasters and emergencies. Federal assistance is provided, however, when flood disasters exceed the capabilities of local and state governments. This study recommends that across the country, flood policy needs to be designed, formulated, and implemented while assigning governance responsibility and decentralizing policy to state and local governments.

Extreme Northern part of Sokoto plains is vulnerable to desertification. Consequently, the zone has been designated as fragile due to issues related to desertification, drought, desert e n c r o a c h m e n t , aridity area among others. This h a v e p o p u l a r l y b e e n u s e d to accentuate t h e fac t that t he z o n e is undergoing serious vegetation decline. This study is on the assessment of the trend of desertification in Sokoto state, Nigeria using monthly 250m resolution Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) imageries from AQUA-MODIS covering the period 1990 to 2009. The monthly composite imageries were initially recomposed into annual mean composites and finally into quasi-five year periods (