Application of Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques in Land Use Changes: A Case Study of a Forest Reserve in the Southwestern Nigeria

Unabated exploitation of biodiversity and its consequential effects on natural environment has been of a serious concern to stakeholders globally. Thus, this study examines land use changes in Oba Hill forest reserve, Osun State, Southwestern, Nigeria between 1986 and 2016 using remote sensing technique. The study utilised satellite imageries from Landsat TM 1986, ETM 1996, 2006, and ETM+ 2016. The research revealed that the undisturbed forested area declined from 26.169 km2 in 1986 to 15.318 km2 in 2016. Also, the cultivated/disturbed forest land increased from 22.238 km2 to 41.499 km2 in 2016 whereas the built up areas decreased from 12.215 km2 to 3.805 km2. The forested lands were decreasing while the cultivated/disturbed land areas were on the increase. This implies that more of the forested lands were opened up for cultivation and other purposes while part of the built- up areas were also taken over by shrubs. Thus, there is degradation in the natural resources as a result of excessive and unguided exploitation of forest resources. It is recommended that government should put in place appropriate policies towards sound management of our natural resources to ensure a sustainable development.