Characterization of Land Surface Emissivity (LSE): a Sustainable Approach to Heat Disaster Mitigation of Minna City and Environs, Niger State, Nigeria

This study characterized the Land Surface Emissivity (LSE) as a sustainable approach to heat disaster mitigation of Minna City and Environs, Niger State, Nigeria. The study aimed to examine the spatial variation of LSE using Satellite Remote (SR) sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) from the city center to the fringes. The study utilized satellite data retrieval and analysis which was the algorithm for extracting LST from Landsat 5, 7 and 8 thermal infrared sensors, using different surface emissivity sources from the Google Earth Engine (GEE). The LSE imageries were retrieved in 2022, 2014 and 2023 respectively. In 2002, increased LSE values were mainly detected in the rural outskirts, including areas like Gidankwanu and Maikunkele, where vegetation and water bodies were more prevalent. In contrast, the city centre showed lower LSE, due to the dominance of urban surfaces such as concrete and paved areas with limited vegetation. Over the years, the spatial distribution of LSE shifted, with higher values appearing in the eastern parts of the city by 2014, likely indicating urban greening efforts or natural plant growth. By 2023, the LSE pattern had further changed, predominantly concentrating in the northeastern region, which emphasises ongoing urban development and changes in land cover, particularly the reduction of vegetation within the city core. It is recommended that maintaining and expanding vegetative cover is a sustainable approach to mitigating UHI effects within rapidly urbanizing environments such as Minna City and environs, Niger State, Nigeria.

Keywords: Characterization, Disaster, Emissivity, Heat, Land, Mitigation, Surface