Understanding the mountainscape dynamics and its drivers using geospatial technology and indigenous knowledge in the Ado-Awaye Mountains, Nigeria

This study quantified the mountainscape transformation and identified its drivers over last two decades in Ado-Awaye Mountains, Nigeria, a protected mountain area Oyo State, managed by State government conjunction with communal efforts. potential tourism destination is home to suspended lake. A supervised classifier algorithm, post-classification method, landscape metrics indigenous knowledge (through interviews questionnaires) were used determine patterns, dynamics, fragmentation of mountainscape. The results revealed that rock outcrop / bare ground built-up areas open secondary forests covered greatest smallest landmasses entire periods (2000 2019), both showing an increase. Mountainscape also increased. Three categories underlying (cultural, natural technological) contributed Mountains. Forest restoration programmes eco-friendly approaches are recommended improve destination’s serenity mitigate environmental impact drivers.