Factor analysis of soil spatial variability in gully erosion area of southeastern Nigeria: A Case Study of Agulu- Nanka- Oko Area

Abstract

The effect of soil characteristics on gully development and distribution has made it desirable to determine the spatial variability of its physical and chemical properties. This paper examines the spatial variability of soil properties and factors contributing to the general pattern of variability in Agulu- Nanka- Oko gully complex, Southeastern Nigerian. Five (5) gully locations and nine (9) gully profiles were selected for the investigation. Fifty one (51) soil samples were collected along
the gully walls of the profiles. These soil samples were analyzed in the laboratory by standard methods (ASTM and British Standard) for soil index properties and chemical properties. The soil samples were collected at depths between 1.2 meters and 21.3 meters, where there are changes in soil types based on textural characteristics. The data were subjected to descriptive and factor analysis. The results of the statistical analyses show that there were marked contrasts in the level of variability of the soil properties. The coefficient of variation ranged from 1.24% to 47.16%. The factor analysis revealed that the variability of the soil properties is mainly due to four factors
namely; chemical properties, moisture content, textural characteristics and organic carbon.
Key words: Factor, analysis, spatial, variability, soil, gully