Spatial Pattern of Land Cover Change Using Remotely Sensed Imagery and GIS: A Case Study of Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserve, SW Nigeria (1986-2002)

Abstract

Spatial patterns of land cover changes in the Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserves were conducted on Landsat TM and ETM+ imageries of 1986 and 2002 using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Extent of tree plantation (Gmelina arborea) grew from about 145 sq. km in 1986 to about 322 sq. km in 2002 (122% increase). The natural forest declined from about 2569 sq. km in 1986 to about 2253 sq. km by 2002, while the non-forest areas increased by some 5% from 341 km 2 in 1986 to about 490 km 2 by 2002. Land cover pattern and its changes in the study area are linked to both natural and anthropogenic processes such as illegal logging, demand for soft wood for industries and expansion of settlements. The conversion of natural forest into monoculture plantations should be discouraged because they do not give room for biodiversity. Specific forestry and environmental laws and regulations that significantly address landscape changes in reserved and protected areas should be enforced to reduce activities that negatively affect the forest reserves. There is also the need to develop a wider and more integrated GIS system of the forest and other land resources in the country to assist different kinds of planning and management activities.

Conservation Attitudes and Challenges: A Study of Forest Elephants In Southern Nigeria Forests

“…The study by Adedeji and Adeofun, (2014) in the Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserves showed that between 1986 and 2002, natural forest habitats decreased by 10% while plantations and non-forest areas increased by 6% and 5% respectively. This rate of loss of natural forests need to be curbed as the condition of natural habitats is important for biodiversity and degraded or fragmented habitats are less likely to be able to support their full complement of species (Aichi Biodiversity Target 5) especially a wide-ranging keystone species like the forest elephant.…”

Morphological Studies on the Guard Hair of the Mona Monkey (Cercopithecus mona) in Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserves of Southwest Nigeria

“…Omo Forest Reserve (OFR) is 1325 km 2 , Shasha Forest Reserve (SFR) covers about 310km 2 , while Oluwa Forest Reserve (OlFR) covers about 827 km 2 . Rainfall and temperature within the reserves averaged 2050 mm and 27˚C respectively (Adedeji and Adeofun, 2014).…”

“…Vegetatively, the study area is a lowland tropical rainforest that has been degraded to secondary forests, thickets, and farmlands of annual and perennial crops, with the exception of some parts of the Forest Reserves (Adedeji and Adeofun, 2014). Apart from the Strict Nature Reserve (SNR) situated at the north-western part of OFR, the forest is largely converted to mono plantations, mainly Gmelina arborea (Okoli and Ola-Adams, 1987).…”

Craterispermum capitatum and C. gabonicum (Rubiaceae): two new species from the Lower Guinean and Congolian Domains

“…The species is distributed in 7 subpopulations, 2 of which are located in protected areas: the Omo-Oluwa-Shasha Forest Reserve located in Ondo State in Nigeria and the Korup National Park in Cameroon and Cross River National Park in Nigeria, which are in fact contiguous. Habitat loss outside the protected areas is a serious threat for C. capitatum , but loss of forest is also documented for the Omo-Oluwa-Shasha Forest Reserve and the Cross River National Park in Nigeria (Ite 1997; Adedeji and Adeofun 2014). …”