Assessment of Environmental Sensitivity to Desertification in Katsina State, Nigeria

Land degradation and Desertification (LDD) are critical issues facing most states in northern Nigeria, with severe consequences for national food security. Land degradation refers to total loss of the productive capacity of the soils for present and future use while desertification is seen as a process whereby the productivity of arid or semi-arid land falls by 10% or more. The Environmental Sensitivity to Desertification Index (ESDI) is the most frequently applied indicator-based system for accessing Land Degradation and Desertification. The research reported here adopted the MEDALUS (Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use) approach for identifying environmentally sensitive areas (ESA) to desertification in Katsina State, Nigeria based on Soil Quality Index (SQI), Climate Quality Index (CQI) and Vegetation Quality Index (VQI). The findings from each of these indicators show the variability between the northern and southern parts of Katsina State. The northern part of Katsina state was found to be the most vulnerable area to desertification and is covered by soil having the highest sand depth while the southern part of the state was found to be the least affected by desertification. This result specifically highlights areas in the State that requires urgent attention and remediation. Findings from this research can be used to support informed decision-making and policy development to focus on sustaining the environment, as well as the livelihood of the communities in the affected local government areas in the northern part of the State, given the high sensitivity of the area to desert conditions.