GIS Assessment of Forest Cover Changes in Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo

Managing complex tropical forest requires up to date technology in ensuring sustainable resources utilisation. Much of the current forest management practices can be improved and monitored through the use of current technologies including remote sensing, GIS (Geographic Information System) and GPS (Global Positioning System) which may enhance any decision making process. This research work demonstrated the ability of GIS and remote sensing data (imageries) in identification, classification and interpretation of Oluwa forest reserve in Ondo state Nigeria. GIS database of land use/ land cover categories and their changes within 14 (1986-2000) and 16 years (2000-2016) was generated and analysed. The result showed that the forest reserve was retreating due to several activities of man such as illegal felling of wood, farming activities, settlement establishment and construction. And if adequate care is not taken, the whole of the forest will turn to bare surface and hinder environmental sustainability development as well as contributing to global warming.