EFFECTS OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON MORPHOLOGY OF THE LOWER COURSE OF RIVER MAYO-INNE, YOLA SOUTH, NIGERIA
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Geography, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria
Abstract
The study examined the effects of human activities on channel morphology of the lower course of River Mayo-Inne, Yola South, Nigeria using an integrated approach of remote sensing, geographic information system and field survey. Data on channel characteristics (width, depth, sinuosity, bed elevation, slope, and gradient) and land use/ land cover spanning a period of thirty-five years (1980-2015) were analysed using descriptive and inferential analysis. Results obtained shows that the mean channel width of the study river increased by 154.57 percent over the study period while sinuosity index which earlier rose from 1.53 in 1980 to 1.57 in 1990 dropped to 1.4 in 2015. Correlation analysis between both channel width and land uses revealed a negative relationship (n=-0.62) with vegetation and positive relationship (n=0.66) with cropland. The relationship between channel width and built up area exhibits perfect positive relationship (r=l). Reasons for the observed patterns were discussed and a number of recommendations were put forwards reducing the effects of human activities on channel morphology.
Description
Keywords
Morphology, Meandering, Land use land cover, Sinuosity, Watershed