Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Land use and soil conservation strategies for potentially highly erodible soils of central eastern Nigeria
Author
Igwe, C. A.
Publication Year
1969
Body

A land-use plan and a soil conservation strategy for reducing catastrophic soil erosion in the central eastern area of Nigeria (05˚ 38’, 7˚ 07’ N; 06˚ 36’, 8˚ 30’ E) were developed while providing the basis for proper environmental and soil management. The techniques tested were adopted to comply with low input technology and affordability by rural farmers. Forty-two topographic maps covering the area were used to interpret landform, vegetation, drainage and other physical characteristics for isolating and identifying land units. Land units were designated into one of four different categories for erosion potential. Vegetation patterns were identified from soil maps, historic meteorological data, aerial photos and topographical maps. Additionally, soil samples were collected and analyzed for organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity (CEC), bulk density and soil texture. Hydraulic conductivity measurements were taken at each of the four land-unit category areas. Soil loss tolerance values were developed by creating a function based off of permanent preservation of the soil resources and prohibition of soil erosion.

Language
en
Keywords
erosion control
land degradation
land management
land use
Nigeria
soil conservation
soil erosion
water conservation
soil loss tolerance
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