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Analysing the rate of land use and land-cover changes in Gambari Forest Reserve, Nigeria


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Figure 1:

Map of the study area (Gambari Forest Reserve).
Source: Adapted from the study by Adedeji et al. [18].
Map of the study area (Gambari Forest Reserve). Source: Adapted from the study by Adedeji et al. [18].

Figure 2:

Land-cover classification of Gambari Forest in 1984.
Land-cover classification of Gambari Forest in 1984.

Figure 3:

Land-cover classification of Gambari Forest in 2004.
Land-cover classification of Gambari Forest in 2004.

Figure 4:

Land-cover classification of Gambari Forest in 2020.
Land-cover classification of Gambari Forest in 2020.

Changes in land cover of Gambari Forest Reserve from 1984 to 2004

Classes Area in 1984 (km2) Area in 1984(%) Area in 2004 (km2) Area in 2004 (%) Percentage Change from 1984–2004
NF 14.70 11.20 37.80 25.10 13.90
LF 79.20 65.40 51.20 43.70 -21.70
DF 31.70 23.40 36.60 31.20 7.80

LULC distribution of Gambari Forest in 2004 showing area (km2) of the LULC classes

Classes Area (%) Area (km2)
Non-forest 25.10 37.80
Light forest 43.70 51.20
Dense forest 31.20 36.60
TOTAL 100.00 125.60

Changes in land cover of Gambari Forest Reserve from 2004 to 2020

Classes Area in 2004 (km2) Area in 2004 (%) Area in 2020 (km2) Area in 2020 (%) Percentage Change from 2004–2020
NF 37.80 25.1 2.60 4.10 -21.00
LF 51.20 43.7 51.20 41.50 -2.20
DF 36.60 31.20 72.80 54.40 23.20

Data set acquired and its sources

S/N Data Sets Resolution/ Scale Year of Production Date of Acquisition Source
1 Landsat 5 30 M 1984 18/12/1984 USGS
2 Landsat 7 30 M 2004 06/02/2004 USGS
3 Landsat 8 OLI 30 M 2020 15/02/2020 USGS
4 Gambari Forest Reserve boundary map 1:50,000 2015 23/11/2018 Adedeji et al. [18]

LULC distribution of Gambari Forest in 2020 showing area (km2) of the LULC classes

Classes Area (%) Area (km2)
Non-forest 4.10 2.60
Dense forest 54.40 72.80
Light forest 41.50 51.20
TOTAL 100.00 125.60

LULC distribution of Gambari Forest in 1984 showing area (km2) of the LULC classes

Classes Area (%) Area (km2)
Non-forest 11.20 14.70
Light forest 65.40 79.20
Dense forest 23.40 31.70
TOTAL 100.00 125.60

LULC classification scheme

S/N Code LULC Classification Category Definition of Terms
1 DF Dense forest Area with dense intensity of forest with thick closed canopy
2 LF Light forest Area with low intensity of forest with light closed canopy
3 NF Non-forest Area covered with shrubs and grasses with no canopy

Changes in land cover of Gambari Forest Reserve from 1984 to 2020

Classes Area in 1984 (km2) Area in 1984(%) Area in 2020 (km2) Area in 2020 (%) Percentage Change from 1984–2020
NF 14.70 11.20 2.60 4.10 −7.10
LF 79.20 65.40 51.20 41.50 −23.90
DF 31.70 23.40 72.80 54.40 31.00