This study assessed the land cover changes between 1999 and 2019 in Kurmi LGA of Taraba state, Nigeria using remote sensing and the Geographic Information System. Landsat imageries of Kurmi LGA for 1999, 2009 were acquired to investigate the drivers to these changes and their impact on the natural resources in the area. The geospatial approach was complemented by focus-group discussion, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interviews covering 692 households. The GIS-based analysis of remotely sensed data revealed only two categories of land cover changes; the built-up areas and vegetation cover. Built-up area was 3% (13,059 ha) and vegetation cover was 97% (422,241 ha) in 1999, the built-up area rose to 23.93 % and vegetation cover reduced to 76.07 (331,132.71 ha) in 2009, the built-up area further rose to 47.71% (207,681 ha) and vegetation cover reduced to 52.29% (227,618.27 ha) in 2019. While the built-up area grew dramatically, vegetation cover shrank dramatically. The result of the findings indicates that the community is aware of the land use and land cover dynamics and validated the observed changes. Timber and firewood collection, lumbering, logging, charcoal production, population growth, and poverty were identified as the key drivers of observed land cover changes. The changes exposed rural households to extreme events such as climate change, wind storms, soil erosion, food shortage, thereby posing a big threat to the sustainable management of natural resources. The study results are expected to support decision-makers and planners in the design and implementation of holistic guidelines for effective natural resource management. The study recommends massive afforestation programs that go beyond yearly rituals, tree planting in public places, institutions, roadsides and rural afforestation programs should be embarked upon. Government should also lead in the tree planting enlightenment campaign on the need to protect the forest and sustainable management of forest reserves in the area.

Nigerian forest resources are constantly threatened due to many anthropogenic activities and considering their importance in recycling oxygen, preventing erosion, biodiversity habitats etc. This study was carried out to determine the diversity and population status of trees. A 50km2 plot was studied using the line transect method, and the Point Centered Quartet technique was deployed to enumerate standing tree biomass. Total Height, Diameter at Breast Height and Crown cover were also measured and recorded. The results showed that 200 trees spread across fifteen (15) families and forty (40) species were identified. The Fabaceae Family had more representatives 12 (30%) while Bignoniaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Meliaceae, Sapotaceae, Rutaceae and Olecaceae had 1 (2.5%) representation each. Parkia biglobosa had highest abundance 37 (18.5%) while Anacardium ocidentale, Brachystegia eurycoma, Ceiba pentandra, Cocos nucifera, Combretum molle, Ficus thoninngii, Khaya senegalensis, Haematostaphis barterii, Lannea microcarpa, Limonia. acidissima, Mangifera indica, Mitragyna inermis, Nauclea latifolia, Newbouldia laevis, Psidium guajava and Tamarindus indica all recorded the least abundance of 1 (0.5%). Diversity indices of Hʹ=2.65 (North), Hʹ=2.49 (South), Hʹ=2.72 (East) and Hʹ=2.37 (West) were recorded. The results also showed that 90% of the tree species enumerated are in need of serious conservation efforts. Parkia biglobosa had the highest Importance Value (46.84%) while Psidium guajava recoded the least (2.21%). It was then concluded that trees in Bakin-dutse community of Ardo-kola LGA needs conserving, hence, we suggest that a concerted effort from Governmental Organizations, Non-Governmental Organization and the Local Community to curtail the rapid decline in the population of these important biodiversity resources.