Climate Change Modulates Erosion Soil Loss at Ngwo, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Climate-Smart modulation presents one of the most veritable tools in erosion soil loss studies at Ngwo, Enugu State, Nigeria. The age long soil erosion and losses have posed serious difficulties to indigenes and the environment. To contribute to unraveling these challenges, this study augmented Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System to conventional physical verification procedures in addressing soil losses in the area arising from gully erosion. The gully erosion ravaged Ngwo was studied with reference to cassava cultivated agricultural land as control. Physical data on soil physico-chemical properties at 0-20cm and 20-40cm depth were collected in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Results revealed continuous loss in soil nutrients, with rainfall amount floating between 927.85-2,628.3mm for the three years assessed. The Landover of the Ngwo erosion gully was 8,530.03m² within a watershed of 929,443.136m². The land use classes of the area decreased from 2015 to 2017 crop management factor decreased within the period. The common conservation support practices in the area were contour farming, strip cropping, terracing, and grassed waterways. The site recorded 14.58%-52.36% annual soil loss from 2015-2017 within the gully and 24.75%-25.57% soil loss within watershed over the same period. A very strong inverse relationship was observed between gullies and land use classes. Above 81% fluctuation in agricultural activities were accounted for by the incidence of erosion, with attendant losses of farmland, soil fertility, reduction in crop yields, siltation and entrophication of water bodies. The erosion led to loss of soil physico-chemical properties, soil loss within gullies and watershed. These affected agricultural activities. There is need to adopt indigenous cultural practices and mechanical approaches in the land restoration and reclamation.