An Assessment of the Spectra Characteristics of Vegetation in South Western Nigeria

This study assessed the status of oil spill induced stress in the vegetation in Lagos and Ogun States, in the South West of Nigeria. The locations of oil spill impacted areas were identified on the field using information from the locals and a Global Positioning System with an accuracy of ± 5m and subsequently identified on the 5 m resolution RapidEye satellite image of 2009 and 2011. Field spectra were collected using Analytical Spectral Device (ASD) Handheld2 Spectrometer. The results showed varying spectral measurement of the impacted and the control. Indices were then used to distinguish less stressed from stressed vegetation which were statistically higher at F-ratio 4.825 (p < 0.01) and 3.194 (p < 0.01) in Lagos State; and 4.564 (p < 0.01) and 2.731 (p < 0.1) in Ogun State. It was concluded that oil spill had changed the spectra characteristics of impacted vegetation.