Abstract:
The study assessed the effect of elevation on Land Surface Temperature (LST) in the
Kwahu East and West enclaves in Ghana. It also investigated the proximate factors
influencing the LST in the area. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed.
The quantitative phase involves using GIS/Remote Sensing analytical tools and
software. Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), was employed to examine the
changes, relationships, variability, and influence among the variables across the spatial
locations. The qualitative phase conveniently sampled ten participants’ views and
analysed thematically. The findings suggest a significant positive trend in the LST from
2003 to 2022 with high LST recorded in the lower elevations. The result also suggests
that any projections of the LST for the area may continue to show an upward trend with
relatively stable variability. The GWR indicated that elevation has greater effect on the
LST as it explained about 89% in the LST variability. It also influences or moderates
the explanatory power of the proximate variable when combined in a model. The
proximate factors, (forest, elevation, geology, distance from water bodies, Normalised
Difference Built Index (NDBI), and slope) account for about 82% of the changes in the
LST across the spatial location of the area with geology having the greater impact on
the LST of the area. The result indicated that the residents are aware of the changes in
the LST and pointed out bushfires, surface pavement, overgrazing by cattle, rock
quarrying, rise in population, excessive sunshine, and reduction in rainfall as the factors
causing the change in the LST of the area. Based on the findings, the study proposed
that, the Kwahu East and West, in consultation with the chiefs must collaborate with
technical experts and researchers to develop spatial models and heat maps that visualise
LST variations and inform decision-making processes at the local levels by utilising
remote sensing data, satellite imagery, and geospatial tools.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Geography Education, Faculty of Social Science
Education, submitted to the school of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of
the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Geography with Education)
in the University of Education, Winneba
JULY, 2025
