Forest Cover Change Assessment in Benue State, Nigeria (2005–2020) Using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System

Forest resources in Nigeria are under increasing pressure from agricultural expansion, urbanization, and other anthropogenic activities, particularly in fragmented savanna–woodland landscapes. This study assesses the spatio-temporal dynamics of forest cover in selected communal and reserved forests of Benue State, Nigeria, between 2005 and 2020 using high- resolution satellite imagery (QuickBird and GeoEye; 0.5–0.65 m) integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing techniques. Supervised image classification using the Maximum Likelihood Classifier was applied, followed by post-classification comparison to quantify forest loss, farmland expansion, and changes in built-up areas. Classification reliability was evaluated using overall accuracy and Kappa statistics. Results indicate substantial forest depletion across most study sites, with forest cover declining by approximately 20–60%, while farmland and built-up areas expanded correspondingly. A few forest patches exhibited relative stability or slight regeneration, suggesting localized management practices or site-specific resilience. Analysis of change patterns indicates that agricultural expansion, population growth, and proximity to urban centers are major drivers of forest conversion. Future projections based on Markov Chain modeling suggest continued forest decline if current land-use trends persist. The findings highlight the suitability of high-resolution imagery for monitoring fragmented forest landscapes and underscore the need for targeted forest management, sustainable land-use planning, and community-based conservation strategies to support climate action and biodiversity conservation in Benue State.