A Geospatial Assessment of the Impact of Gas Flaring on Vegetation Cover in Delta State, Nigeria
Keywords:
gas flaring, GIS, vegetation cover, satellite imagery, change detection, degradationAbstract
Gas flaring, the deliberate burning of undesirable byproduct gas produced during oil exploration, is something that the Nigerian people have witnessed and are understandably terrified of. Instead of "devastating," the word "dreaded" was chosen to emphasize the point more clearly and forcefully. A lack of understanding regarding the detrimental impacts on the environment, leading to an insufficient regulatory framework, is a key factor in the perpetuation of this practice (removed redundant phrase and rephrased for clarity). Although studies have examined some of the negative environmental impacts of gas flaring, a comprehensive analysis of these effects has not yet begun. To date, there have been no GIS-based studies in Nigeria that quantify the impact of gas flaring on vegetation cover. Both the novel aspects of this study and its gaps in knowledge are highlighted. The primary objective of this research was to address this information vacuum by investigating the potential of geographic information systems (GIS) to mitigate the detrimental impacts of gas flaring on the extensive plant life in Delta State. In order to accomplish this, the study area was covered by three distinct time series of satellite images: CORONA 1967, Landsat 5 TM 1986/87, and Landsat 7 ETM+ 2001/02. extracted unnecessary dates and clarified the situation by assigning specific names to the satellites. The data was divided into four subsets, with each subset selected using the criteria mentioned earlier. Through the use of a GIS-based change detection method, we compared the historical changes in gas flaring and non-gas flaring areas' vegetation and land cover (GIS). "Employed" is now used instead of "received" in the methodology description for better clarity. The study found that gas flaring is a significant factor in the rapid extinction of native plant species in the studied area. Rapid and effective regulatory action is required at the federal, state, and local levels in response to the finding. Policymakers and decision-makers can address this pressing environmental issue with more informed solutions and preventative measures if they incorporate these new findings into strategic planning. After revising the conclusions and suggestions, the call to action is more compelling.
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