Spatiotemporal Assessment of Land Use and Land Cover Change Effects on Eco- Hydroclimatic Conditions in Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Increasing land-use transitions are major drivers of eco-hydroclimatic changes, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. This study therefore sought to assess the spatiotemporal effects of land use changes on eco-hydroclimatic conditions in Kiambu County, utilizing remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems technologies. Landsat satellite imagery from 2004 and 2024 was used. Rainfall data, Land Surface Temperature (LST), and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were used to assess variations in vegetation cover, thermal patterns, and precipitation trends. Land use and land cover maps were generated using supervised classification, and accuracy assessments were performed to validate the classified maps. Statistical analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between LULC dynamics and eco-hydroclimatic parameters. The findings showed a significant expansion of built-up areas, accompanied by declines in cultivated land, vegetation cover, and water bodies. These changes were associated with increased LST, reduced vegetation health, and alterations in rainfall patterns. The study further demonstrated that increased urbanization and substantial landscape changes have significantly affected the county’s eco-hydroclimatic conditions. These changes have significant implications for environmental sustainability, water resources, climate change adaptation and resilience, and land use planning at the county level. The findings are expected to provide evidence to support informed policy formulation and sustainable spatial planning aimed at enhancing ecological resilience in Kiambu County.