Owerri is rapidly growing in population and built environment, with corresponding, high increase in pavements or paved surfaces. This study explores the integrated approach of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information systems (GIS) techniques in flood management with the goal of mapping areas vulnerable to flood hazard and, increase in paved surfaces. Digital elevation dataset from Shuttle Radar Topographical Mission (SRTM) were downloaded from USGS explorer. Also,

This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. Author KOEU designed the study and performed the remote sensing and geo statistic analysis. Authors MCI and GTA wrote the protocol and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author CCU reviewed and discussed further the implications of the result on the environment. Author IEO managed and reported various implications to the global climate and environmental sustainability. All authors read and approved the final manuscript Article Information

Nigeria as a country is blessed with an abundance of both human and natural resources. Exploitation of natural resources in Nigeria over the years with little or no regard for the environment has increased susceptibility of parts of the country to identified geohazards. A suite of environmental laws exist in Nigeria, all these aimed at protecting both the environment and its inhabitants. The aim of this paper is to review existing environmental laws in Nigeria, and occurrence of identified geohazards as a result of absence or non-implementation of these laws. Data for this study were obtained primarily from secondary sources. They are published government reports, journal articles, books, as well as other resources on the environment of Nigeria. Results show that Nigeria as a country has suitable existing and well-meaning environmental laws. The country also has many agencies charged with the responsibilities of implementing these environmental laws and policies. However, the non-implementation and nonexistence of identified environmental laws and policies has increased both exposure and vulnerability of parts of the country to geohazards. The effects of these include; loss of means of livelihood, environmental degradation leading to Badlands in parts of the country, as well as death in extreme cases.

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Gully erosion is the dominant environmental problem in southeast Nigeria and has led to loss of human and material resources. In this study, we evaluated changes in gully characteristics in southeast Nigeria and their potential drivers between 2009 and 2018 using a multi‐method approach: analysis of high‐resolution satellite imagery (2–5 m) and focus group discussions. Gully numbers increased from 26 to 39 and mean gully length increased from 0.39 to 0.43 km. We found that land adjacent to rivers had the highest concentration of gullies which is associated with an increase in slope angle from 10 to 58% up to 500 m from rivers. Regarding potential gully‐drivers, land‐use changes were observed. Non‐vegetated lands increased from 58.6 to 144.7 km2 between 2009 and 2018, while reductions in fallow lands from 281.2 to 57.8 km2 were observed. Results from focus group meetings indicate there was no gullying in the area before the Nigerian civil war (1967–1970). War‐time activities such as digging trenches and increased population density were said to have led to the formation of the oldest gullies in the area. Although war‐time activities have ceased, meeting attendees believed that present land‐use changes have increased the volume of surface runoff and thus enhancing gully erosion. Incorporating local knowledge in this study has therefore provided a valuable understanding on the key drivers of gullying that pre‐dates the availability of freely available high‐resolution satellite data.