Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics of Gilli-Gilli Forest Reserve, Edo State, Nigeria from 1986 to 2023
The rapid rate of land use and land cover (LULC) change has become a major concern, especially in tropical forests, where anthropogenic activities continue to strain natural resources. Forest degradation affects biodiversity, climate regulation, soil stability, and ecosystem balance. This study examined the spatial and temporal changes in land use and land cover within the Gilli-Gilli Forest Reserve, Edo State, Nigeria, over 37 years from 1986 to 2023.