Evaluation of gully erosion sites inselected rainforest and derived savannah ecosystem in Abia State, south east Nigeria

Abstract

A study of gully erosion sites in selected Rainforest and derived savannah ecosystem was undertaking. Two single factor experiments in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications were utilized separately to determine the dimensions of gullies in erosion sites. Result revealed that gully dimension in rainforest area of Abia State were highest in length in Ahiaeke Ntigbu at 1436.67m and lowest in Ossah Ibeku at 400m, width were highest in Amigbo Ubakala at 52m and lowest at 30m, depth were highest inAmigbo Ubakala at 31.67m and lowest in Ossah Ibeku at 16m. In derived savannah were seen highest in lentgh in Oruruala Amayi at 1450m and lowest in Amaekpu at 440m,width were highest in Oruruala Amayi at 92m and lowest in Akanu at 31.67m and depth were highest Oruruala Amayiin 33.33m and lowest in Akanu at 18.33m. Result of the study revealed gully erosion are more active in derived savannah area than the rainforest area of Abia State due to the type of soil in the region. Observation revealed that soil erosion in some communities was aggravated by human activities, such as deforestation and bush burning/removal of vegetation cover, mining activities, urban development and sand excavation. This problem is affecting the development because infrastructures such as houses, roads and many others are being destroyed yearly and this in turn constitutes an environmental menace. The services of competent professionals for design, construction and supervision of erosion control and soil conservation measures should be ensured and utilized.

Keywords: Soil degradation, Soil erosion, rainforest, derived savannah