EROSION IN NIGERIA 1

Erosion is a process that describes continuous physical and chemical events which causes soil and rock on the Earth's surface to loosen and move to a new location. The countries of sub-Saharan Africa are besieged by serious environmental degradation resulting in desert encroachment, drought and soil erosion due to either wind impact or very high intensive rainfall resulting in heavy runoff and soil loss. The problems have adversely affected agricultural productivity and thus casting doubt of food security in the zone. The ecological and social settings in the zone are often distorted sometimes leading to losses in human and material capitals. Nigeria like many other countries within the region is not exempted from the devastating effect on erosion. In Nigeria desertification and aridity are the major environmental problems of the Northern part of the country while the high torrential rainfall of the southern Nigeria creates enabling environment for catastrophic soil erosion in the region.

Types of erosion in Nigeria

The gully types are the more obvious forms of erosion in Nigeria, mainly because of the remarkable impression they leave on the surface of the earth. They are also a visible manifestation of the physical loss of the land due to erosion. Good examples of gullies are widespread in Nigeria, especially in the Agulu-Nanka, Obioma, Nsuka, Alo, Nnobi, Nnewi, Olu, Ozuitem, Abiriba, Ohafia, Uruala, Amucha and Uyo areas of Southeastern Nigeria. Other examples, but on a much smaller scale, exist on the Jos Plateau, especially in Heipang, Zaria, Ankpa, Auchi etc.
Much more pernicious and highly detrimental to agriculture is sheet erosion which often goes on unnoticed due to its gradual, constant and uniform action, but which finally results in a complete removal of arable parts of the soil. Through this action of sheet erosion, the topsoil is gradually swept clear of its finer elements and plant nutrients, and only coarse, infertile materials are left behind. Wind erosion occurs more generally and more frequently in the extreme northern parts of the country, but is limited in both time and space in other parts. Some of the materials removed by the wind reach the southern parts of the country by way of dust-laden winds especially during the period of the harmattan.
Effects of erosion in Nigeria
Loss of Farmland: A vast area of farmlands has been lost due to the menace of erosion while others are at their various stages of destruction leading to drastic decrease in agricultural productivity and ultimately food shortage that can lead to famine.
Treat to Vegetation: Erosion in Nigeria has resulted in loss of vegetation as its continuous expansion encroaches into areas that are hitherto forest leading to falling of trees and exposure of more surface areas to gully activities.

TO BE CONTINUED