PREPONDERANCE OF TREES IN URBAN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SURULERE AND SOMOLU NEIGHBOURHOODS, LAGOS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Large urban trees are excellent filters for urban pollutants and fine particulates. Nevertheless, urban trees face a severe limitation of space and exceptionally stressful environment. In Lagos, uncontrolled land-use for development has relegated trees to a lower priority and intensified urban impacts on them. This study evaluated the impact of urbanization within a selected area in Somolu local government areas. High-resolution Aerial photographs and WorldView03 imageries were downloaded and analyzed using ArcMap 10.6 and ENVI 5.2 software to examine the changes within two time periods (1988 and 2019). Ten classes of features were extracted. Areal change and overlay analysis were used to investigate the impact of urbanization on tree space while structure questionnaires were used to assess residence perception on arboriculture practice. The result showed that there was an increase in built area with 17.15 ha of which 1.3 ha were tree space in 1988 for Somolu and 7.26ha increase in Surulere with 1.11ha were tree space in 1988. Road network also benefited from tree space with 0.19 ha and 1.2 ha in Somolu and Surulere respectively. This has widely damaged roadside trees and frequent roadside trenching associated with social utilities result in massive root damages which was also a major concern in the neighbourhood. This paper also noted that the neighbourhood was aware on tree planting but perceived that it is not of a concern to them, therefore they do not practice arboriculture. Hence, suggests that the public should be enlightened on the importance of trees within the community.