Journals Information
Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 11(3), pp. 483 - 492
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2023.110308
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Relationships between Erosional Losses and Vegetation in Fallows of Southern Nigeria
A. I. Iwara 1, M. A. Abua 2, R. E. Udonwa 3, S. B. Esuabana 4, E. P. Archibong 5, D. O. Idika 6, I. E. Bassey 7, A. S. Antai 8, O. O. Egbai 9, V. B. Eneyo 10,*
1 Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
2 Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
3 Department of Vocational Education, Faculty of Science Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
4 Department of Guidance and Science Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
5 Department of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
6 Department of Educational Foundations, Institute of Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria
7 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
8 Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
9 Department of Environmental Resource Management, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
10 Department of Tourism Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
This research looked at runoff, sediment and vegetation relationships in 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year-old fallows in southern Nigeria. Sixty-one significant rainstorms were registered with a total rainfall amount of 1,359 mm. Correlation results revealed that runoff was positively related to sediment loss across the plots. Vegetation parameters exhibited negative and negligible relationships with runoff volume on the 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year fallow plots. For the 10-year fallow plot, the high crown cover substantially decreased sediment loss (r = -0.232); Slight increase in crown cover on the 5-year fallow plot resulted in a significant reduction in sediment loss (r = -0.445). While for the 3-year fallow plot, tree/shrub density substantially reduced sediment loss (r = -0.534). The results obtained implied that erosional losses (runoff and sediment) occurred on all fallow treatments irrespective of fallow age and that the presence of vegetation considerably decreased the amount of sediment loss. Based on this, the study suggested that vegetation should not be wholly destroyed during land preparation for crop cultivation to speed up vegetation restoration and decrease land degradation.
KEYWORDS
Runoff, Sediment Loss, Vegetation Parameters, Relationship, Fallows
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] A. I. Iwara , M. A. Abua , R. E. Udonwa , S. B. Esuabana , E. P. Archibong , D. O. Idika , I. E. Bassey , A. S. Antai , O. O. Egbai , V. B. Eneyo , "Relationships between Erosional Losses and Vegetation in Fallows of Southern Nigeria," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 483 - 492, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2023.110308.
(b). APA Format:
A. I. Iwara , M. A. Abua , R. E. Udonwa , S. B. Esuabana , E. P. Archibong , D. O. Idika , I. E. Bassey , A. S. Antai , O. O. Egbai , V. B. Eneyo (2023). Relationships between Erosional Losses and Vegetation in Fallows of Southern Nigeria. Environment and Ecology Research, 11(3), 483 - 492. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2023.110308.