Ikere forest reserve is a State owned forest estate and has experienced changes in its landscape pattern. Therefore, this study is set to assess the dynamic characteristics of the forest reserve landscape between 1985 and 2017 using remote sensing data and spatial metrics. Landscape of the study area maintained complex patterns of spatial heterogeneity over throughout the years. Forest cover loss to other land cover types results in new large non-forest area at increasing rate. As at the year 2017, the changes in land cover types were not yet at equilibrium, thus, determination of future forest cover extent using a three-way markov Chain model. The decrease in number of patches of forest land (NumP) with increase in its mean patch size (MPS) shows that the forest is becoming a single unit probably due to clearing of existing patches of forest trees. The decrease in class diversity and evenness (SDI and SEI) of the general landscape over the years buttress this assertion. The findings of this study would be very handful to government and other stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of ensuring sustainable forest and general environment.

Keywords: Landscape, Spatial metrics, sustainable forest and Environment.