Analysis of Forest Cover Changes In Nimbia Forest Reserve, Kaduna State, Nigeria Using Geographic Information System And Remote Sensing Techniques

Abstract

Nimbia Forest Reserve is witnessing degradation due to anthropogenic activities such as Farming, Illegal felling and fuel wood extraction just like many other forest reserves in Nigeria. On the other hand, the management has failed to provide enough manpower to guard against anthropogenic activities and the few ones available were not receiving better remuneration. Other problems faced by the forest are that trimming is done on time and cleared lands were not replanted. These and many other reasons  leading to overexploitation, increase  rate of deforestation, modification of the forest structure, reduced income to government and increased unemployment.

This study examines the use of GIS and Remote Sensing in mapping Land Cover in Nimbia Forest Reserve between 1986 and 2010 so as to detect the changes that may have taken place in this status between these periods. Subsequently, an attempt was made at projecting the observed land cover in the next 21 years. The result obtained show that some features will be lost to other features and possible reasons for that were evaluated.

Suggestions were therefore made at the end of the work on ways to use the information as contained therein optimally.