Department of Geography and Planning Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin Univeristy, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo state, Nigeria
Online published on 22 January, 2015.
Soil erosion is a major form of land degradation that affects the physical and chemical properties of soils resulting in nutrient loss and sedimentation of water resources. This study examined the spatial variability of soil properties in Akoko region of Ondo State, Nigeria.
Observations were carried out largely from sampling points and forty soil samples were collected for laboratory analysis to determine soil pH, organic matter content, exchangeable potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and particle size distribution. There was spatial variability in soil properties as indicated by the high coefficients of variation in soil pH (6.85 to 15.85), CEC (16.89 to 19.42), organic matter(121 to 127), calcium(27.57 to 29.21), magnesium(37.14 to 50.35), sodium(30.58 to 32.77), potassium (43.82 to 45.74), sand (15.16 to 16.50), silt (39.77 to 40.35) and clay (11.96 to 31.78).
These variations suggest differential sensitivity of these properties to change under erosion. There is need to regulate soil loss through the use of preventive measures such as mulching, terracing and planting of cover crops so as to enhance soil productivity.
