Quantifying Ecosystem Service Trade-offs in Nigerian Floodplains Using Remote Sensing and Spatial Valuation Methods

Nigerian floodplains simultaneously provide multiple ecosystem services including flood attenuation, agricultural productivity, fisheries production, and biodiversity habitat, yet land use changes are progressively degrading these functions. This study quantifies ecosystem service trade-offs in three major Nigerian floodplain systems, namely the Komadugu-Yobe, the Benue, and the Niger-Anambra floodplains, using remote sensing and spatial valuation methods. Remote sensing-derived biophysical variables including flood inundation extent, vegetation productivity, and water quality indices serve as proxies for ecosystem service provision. Economic valuation methods including benefit transfer and production function approaches are used to monetise selected services at spatial resolution. Spatial correlation and regression tree analyses quantify trade-off relationships between agricultural intensification and flood regulation services. Results demonstrate that conversion of floodplain wetlands to cropland in the Benue system has reduced flood attenuation capacity by 28 percent while increasing agricultural output value by 34 percent, representing a significant uncompensated externality. The study provides a methodological framework for integrating ecosystem service trade-off analysis into environmental impact assessment in Nigerian floodplain contexts. Keywords: ecosystem services, floodplain, trade-offs, remote sensing, spatial valuation