Monitoring the Rate of Change at Urualla Gully Erosion Site Using GIS and Remote Sensing Methodology

Abstract

Urualla gully erosion was monitored using GIS and remote sensing in Urualla, Ideato North Imo State Nigeria. The objective is to calculate the rate of change of Urualla gully erosion and identify measures to control its growth. The study's data came from primary and secondary sources, such as Google Earth imageries, DEMs, and in situ measurements. Google Earth was used to vectorize and digitize the gully by using a slider tool to get the various years. According to measurements of the Urualla gully, its area has steadily increased. Over time, the gully has shown to be 137,876, 144,897, 164,876, 184,236, 200,000, and 203,065 m², respectively. This shows that gully factors like high runoff, vegetation removal and refuse dumping on drainage channels have been active near the gully site. There is an urgent need for integrated landscape planning due to the loss of land due to gully erosion, urban expansion, industrialization, and further human activities on the land. Various best land low-cost strategies and management techniques can prevent and tackle gullies, which have become too severe to remedy. When gully erosion is still in its infancy, control measures are most effective in stemming it. This method of monitoring gullies applies to any area with a similar environment and scenario, whether it be national or international, using GIS and remote sensing.