Desertification and Soil Erosion: Dual Effects of Deforestation in JADA Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Areas affected by gully erosion and logging were surveyed in the study area between February and November, 2012 with the aim to determine some effects of deforestation. Sampling of logged trees was conducted in six out of the nine districts of the local government, with more pronounced logging activities and gully erosion features. Data collected was based on random visible logged trees that suffered environmental degradation. Photographs of logged trees and gully ravaged areas were taken. Results showed that the total volume of soil lost to erosion was 51, 713.24m³, while a total of 305 trees were logged in the study area. As a result of this, roads, schools, health clinics and other infrastructures were lost to erosion in this area. Some ways of reducing these effects of deforestation have been suggested in this work.