Detection of Human Induced Land Use and Land Cover Change in Nagi Forest Reserve in Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajgt.v4i1.3688Keywords:
Conservation, Deforestation, Environmental Degradation, Landcover, Land Use, Remote SensingAbstract
Land cover and land use are often conflated concepts but have distinct definitions and implications. Land cover refers to the physical surface of the Earth, encompassing natural and artificial features, while land use describes the human activities and purposes for which land is utilized. Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC) represents human-driven modifications of Earth’s terrestrial surface, significantly impacting environmental conditions. This study focuses on detecting human-induced land use and land cover changes in the Nagi Forest Reserve in Benue State, Nigeria. Utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing techniques, the research analyzes changes in land cover from 1980 to 2020 to provide insights into sustainable forest management. Multi-temporal Landsat satellite imagery was employed, using supervised classification methods to identify five land use categories: built-up areas, forest, grassland, and agricultural land. Image processing and change detection analyses revealed significant deforestation and forest degradation, primarily driven by human activities such as oil palm expansion, population growth, and logging. The study identified a cumulative loss of forest cover, with the most alarming rate observed in 2020. To mitigate ongoing deforestation, this study recommends implementing guided forest conservation policies, frequent eco-guard monitoring, community involvement in forest management, and capacity-building for policymakers and resource managers. These measures aim to ensure the sustainable management and conservation of the Nagi Forest Reserve, preserving its ecological balance and biodiversity for future generations.
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