POTENTIAL SOIL LOSS IN EARLY GULLY EROSION FORMATION IN UGEP, CROSS RIVER STATE

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the potential soil loss associated with early gully formation in Ugep. Six composite soil samples were randomly collected from developing gullies in Ugep at a depth of 0–30 cm, and the gully depths were also measured. Results from laboratory analysis using standard procedures showed that the soil texture was dominated by sandy loam, with the sand fraction being higher than silt and clay. The soil pH ranged from strongly acidic to slightly acidic, while other soil chemical properties were generally low. The potential soil loss (A) was highest at Ketabebe middle slope (234.7 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), which falls under category 5 indicating very high erosion potential, and lowest at Kekomkolo (42.36 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), classified under category 4 indicating high erosion potential. Statistical analysis revealed that gully depth decreases as potential soil loss, soil erodibility (K), silt, and clay contents increase. It was also observed that organic matter (OM), sodium adsorption ratio, and total porosity increase as gully depth increases. Furthermore, sand content and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) increased significantly with increasing gully depth. The study therefore recommended the planting of vetiver grasses to control runoff from gully heads and prevent further undercutting, along with other management strategies such as the construction of gutters and water diversion structures to effectively control runoff in the area.