Spatial-Temporal effects of Landuse changes on Land surface Temperature in Nairobi.

English Abstract:

Land Surface Temperature (LST) forms an important climate variable which is related to climate change and forms a good indicator of the energy balance at the surface because it is one of the key parameters in the physics of land-surface processes. The main objectives of this study is to examine the spatial temporal effects of land use land cover changes on surface temperature, through the analysis of the temperature differences between the land covers and Normalized Differential vegetation Index using Landsat TM and ETM+ data for a period of 24 years. The effectiveness of remote sensing technology methodson surface temperature at local and regional levels is examined too.

The multispectral bands of Landsat TM and ETM+ of the dry season were used in generating the land surface temperature, NDVI and LULC. The data was checked against ground data information and measurements and statistically normalized for correlation with vegetation vigour and land cover types such as vegetated areas, barren land, water, shrubs/grasslands and built up areas.

The finding indicate a strong relationship between the land surface temperature and the land use/ covers with a negative correlation with the vegetation The relationship between land surface temperature and the land use validates the suitability of the techniques used in analysing land surface temperature for micro-climates assessment. Remote sensing data provides an efficient and relatively cheaper method for carrying out micro-climate studies thus effective in local and regional analysis. The research recommendsmitigation techniques that facilitate the reintegration of natural elements into the built environment hence reversing the climate change effect.

Key Words; Land Surface Temperature, Land Use, Land Cover, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, remote sensing