Gully Morphometric and Soil Physical Properties in Selected Settlements in Akoko Region of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out in Akoko Region of Ondo State, Nigeria.  The study examined gully characteristics and soil physical properties. The mean values of 76.36m, 1.81m and 8.17m were recorded for gully length, depth and width respectively.  Measurements of gully characteristics were done in the dry season using conventional surveying equipment.  The gully dimensions measured include: gully length, width, depth and cross section areas. A total of 20 gullies were studied.  Soil samples were also taken from the studied gullies for the determination of the soil bulk density and particle size distribution.  Descriptive statistics were such as mean and standard deviation used to achieve clarity.

The mean values of 76.36m, 1.81m and 8.17m were recorded for gully length, depth and width respectively while the mean value of sediment loss was 2,577.59.  The value of depth suggested that the gullies in the study area are predominantly shallow and exhibited V-shaped cross section area. The mean cross sectional area was 16.72m².  Findings show that the soil in the study area is predominantly sandy clay loam with 48.50% sand, 12.51% silt and 30.25% clay at the upper soil horizon while it was predominantly clay (42.60%) at the gully floor.  These results further confirmed that along the depth of soil profile, proportion of clay content increases thereby increasing the soil cohesiveness and resistant to detachment.  Significant relationship was observed between sediment loss and gully width, gully depth, gully length and cross sectional area.  This study recommended that preventive measures such as planting of cover crops and mulching should be put in place.