Estimation of annual erosion in six soil series of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Nigeria using Rusle in Map Algebra

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, bush burning and extensive opening of farmlands in the 10,000 hectares at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) have increased vulnerabilities of the seven soil series in the campus to agents of erosion. Therefore it is important to evaluate the rate and locations of soil erosion in the study area inorder to develop erosion control intervention programme using standard methods. The results show that overall soil erosion ranges from 0 to 167.8 tons per hectare per annum. 10% of University land now has high risk of soil erosion being grasslands exposed to annual fires. Soil erosion is pronounced in the two soil series (Oke-imesi and Apomu) that are found along river fringes with topographic factors (Slope length and steepness) playing major role in the soil erosion.

Keywords: Soil series; Erosion; Map algebra; Spatial mode