Predicting future gully development in south-east Nigeria: A 10- Year Forecast (2020-2030)

Enemuoh, Charles Okechukwu., Igbokwe, Joel Izuchukwu., and Igbokwe, Esomchukwu Chinagorom *

Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria.
 
Review
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Updates, 2023, 06(02), 021–032.
Article DOI: 10.53430/ijmru.2023.6.2.0067
Publication history: 
Received on 06 October 2023; revised on 23 August 2023; accepted on 25 August 2023
 
Abstract: 
This study investigates the trajectory of gully erosion in South-East Nigeria over the past decade (2010-2020) and employs an artificial neural network model to predict future gully development for the next ten years (2020-2030). The analysis reveals a substantial increase in gully areas across the states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo from 2010 to 2020, indicating a pressing environmental concern. The predictive model, validated at 79.24% correctness, anticipates a significant expansion of gully coverage by 2030. The implications of these predictions highlight the need for proactive measures to counteract the adverse effects of gully erosion on the environment, infrastructure, and communities. This study provides valuable insights for regional planning, resource allocation, and policy formulation, emphasizing the urgency of collaborative efforts to address the escalating threat of gully erosion in South-East Nigeria.

 

Keywords: 
Erosion Control; Gully Development; Land Degradation; Prediction; South-East Nigeria
 
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