Decadal Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Vegetation Change Across Ecological Gradients in Southern Taraba, Nigeria (2014–2024)

Vegetation resources in Nigeria are increasingly under pressure from population growth, agriculture, and climate variability. This study analysed vegetation change across Southern Taraba between 2014 and 2024 using Landsat imagery, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and supervised classification. Results indicate a 40–45% decline in vegetation cover, with farmland and built-up areas expanding rapidly. NDVI values decreased consistently across the decade, reflecting deterioration in vegetation health. Major drivers of change include agricultural expansion, logging, settlement growth, and infrastructural development. The findings underscore the urgent need for zoning regulations, community-led reforestation initiatives, and the integration of geospatial monitoring into land management policies to safeguard ecological stability and livelihoods in Southern Taraba.