Ecosystem Regulatory Services and Human Comfort in an Outdoor Environment of Lokoja, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: To determine the effect of land cover change and local temperature variation on the thermal comfort of inhabitants of the town while carrying out their outdoor activities. Study Design: Application of satellite imageries, meteorological data and questionnaire for the study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Geography and Planning, Kofi State University, Antigua, Nigeria between June and October, 2012. Methodology: Computation of 12 months humidor values from temperature and humidity data for the year 1987, 2001 and 2011. Satellite image processing, classification, victimization and interpretation for land use and land cover change for 1987, 2001 and 2012; extraction of NDVI values and map for 2012 using Arc GIS 9.2. Land use and Land cover change rate were calculated. Temporary installation of thermo-hygrometers in 10 identified neighborhoods for a daily humidor values for the months of July, August and September 383 copies of questionnaire was retrieved and analyses using principal component analysis method of SPPS 17 software. Results: The least humidor values of 34.7 in December 1987, 34.4 in January 2001 and 35.8 in December 2011 indicated that discomfort is a common feature. The increasing change in rate in built up (0.95km2/yr) and the corresponding decline in rate of vegetation (1.73km2/yr) is the responsible for the near dryness in the built up area indicated by the NDVI values are attest to the increasing level of discomfort in the area of study. The perception level is significant s the KMO value of 0.602 which suggest a strong positive correlation among the variables. Effect of Land and sea breezes accounted for 22.7% of the variation in discomfort, urbanization 16.4% and Exposure 10%, while improper mitigation processes accounted for 8.8% and 11.4% for health implication. Conclusion: The rapid response to urban green economy will enhance the proper benefits of ecosystem services to Lakota environment. The governmental and non-governmental agencies are sensitize the general public on the role of vegetation in the environment, as this contribute to regulating air temperature.