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Original Research Article

Evaluating 35-Year Vegetation Dynamics in Anambra State: An NDVI-Climate Correlation Analysis

Chibuogwu Ikechukwu Udoka, Nneji E.G, Alor K.P, Obichukwu O.O, David-Okoro I.L, Mbadugha A.O, Nwobodo A.N

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Chibuogwu Ikechukwu Udoka Corresponding Author

Department of Physics and Industrial Physics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Correspondence: iu.chibuogwu@unizik.edu.ng

Received
20 Sep 2026
Published
10 Oct 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the spatio-temporal dynamics of vegetation and its climatic drivers in Anambra State, Nigeria, from 1990 to 2025 using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis and long-term climate time series. Results reveal a progressive decline in vegetation health, with mean NDVI dropping from 0.451 in 1990 to ∼0.25 in 2005, representing a 44% loss of photosynthetic capacity. Spatial NDVI maps confirm dense vegetation cover in 1995, followed by fragmentation and expansion of degraded corridors by 2005. Although a modest recovery occurred between 2020 and 2025 (NDVI rising to ∼0.336), this was qualitative, reflecting a shift from dense forest to sparse shrubland and cropland. Climatic variability, erratic rainfall, warming temperatures, declining wind speed, and stabilized solar radiation modulated short-term NDVI fluctuations. However, Pearson correlation analysis revealed weak NDVI–climate coupling, with rainfall (r=0.15) and temperature (r≈0) showing negligible influence, highlighting anthropogenic drivers such as deforestation, agricultural expansion, urbanization, and sand mining as dominant causes of degradation. The findings underscore vegetation dynamics as a sensitive indicator of environmental instability and agricultural unsustainability. The observed resilience after 2020 offers opportunities for reforestation, agroforestry, and sustainable land-use planning to restore ecological balance and ensure long-term sustainability

Keywords: Vegetation Dynamics, Anambra State, Climate Variability, Remote Sensing, Environmental Monitoring
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How to Cite

APA

Udoka, C. I., E.G, N., K.P, A., O.O, O., I.L, D.-O., A.O, M., & A.N, N. (2026). Evaluating 35-Year Vegetation Dynamics in Anambra State: An NDVI-Climate Correlation Analysis. Journal of Contemporary Academic Research and Methodologies, 1(8), Article 018. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23280020

MLA

Udoka, Chibuogwu Ikechukwu, Nneji E.G, Alor K.P, Obichukwu O.O, David-Okoro I.L, Mbadugha A.O, and Nwobodo A.N. "Evaluating 35-Year Vegetation Dynamics in Anambra State: An NDVI-Climate Correlation Analysis." Journal of Contemporary Academic Research and Methodologies, vol. 1, no. 8, 2026, article 018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23280020

Chicago

Udoka, Chibuogwu Ikechukwu, Nneji E.G, Alor K.P, Obichukwu O.O, David-Okoro I.L, Mbadugha A.O, and Nwobodo A.N. "Evaluating 35-Year Vegetation Dynamics in Anambra State: An NDVI-Climate Correlation Analysis." Journal of Contemporary Academic Research and Methodologies 1, no. 8 (2026): 018. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23280020

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ISSN 3139-7247
Tracking ID JCARM_SEP_26_100
Article No. 018
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Article Info
Journal JCARM
Volume Vol 1, No 8
Year 2026
Type Original Research Article
Licence CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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