International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 06 | June 2023
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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Investigating the Causes of Erosion in Kaltungo Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria Samuel Osusha Loya1*, Buba Wali2 1Lecturer, Department of Quantity Surveying, Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo, Gombe State, Nigeria.
2Lecturer, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo, Gombe State, Nigeria.
---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------rely for food production, clean water, and substrates for Abstract – This research investigated the causes of erosion
building and infrastructure. In agreement, Jeje (2005), and Adegboyega (2006) opined that erosion destroys infrastructures such as highways, roads, and buildings. According to Ananda and Herath, 2003, soil erosion is the most threatening environmental degradation problem in the developing world. The Beijing Times (2002) also identified erosion as the direct cause of degradation and poverty, threatening the sustainability of plants and animals in many parts of the world. An unprecedented increase in soil loss and its economic and environmental impact have made erosion one of the leading global environmental problems (Zhang et al., 2009).
and measures to be taken to prevent/control erosion in kaltungo Local Government area of Gombe State, Nigeria. The study employed the administration of a questionnaire to obtain relevant data. Relevant literature on erosion was reviewed to retrieve the causes of erosion and its preventive measures. Based on the review, 8 factors responsible for erosion were selected, and 9 measures to control and prevent erosion were selected. 200 persons were sampled with 20 representing each erosion site studied. A total of 187 out of the 200 administered questionnaires were retrieved and data obtained were analyzed using tables and figures. It was discovered that running water, deforestation, and grazing are the major causes of erosion in Kaltungo Local Government Area with mean item scores of 4.6, 3.68, and 3.34 respectively. Devaluation of assets, depletion of land, poor topography, destruction of houses, desertification, water pollution, and land degradation are the major effects of erosion in the area; while construction of drainages, afforestation, and grazing control are the most important erosion control/prevention measures needed with mean item scores of 4.58, 4.31, and 3.73 respectively. It was recommended that drainages should be constructed by relevant authorities at strategic locations. Also, cutting down trees should be highly discouraged and punishment meted on perpetrators while significant steps should be taken in reforestation. Grazing should be properly managed through the provision of grazing reserves.
Nigeria is undoubtedly facing many environmental problems requiring urgent attention with erosion being one of them. This was confirmed by World Bank in 2009 when they listed erosion as one of the top 5 hazards threatening the Nigerian environment (Mbaya, 2013). Without a doubt, erosion is a subset of environmental degradation in North Eastern Nigeria where Gombe State is located. According to Mallam (2016), erosion is one of the greatest environmental disasters in the northern part of Nigeria which has affected hundreds of people every year. This is because the soils in North-Eastern Nigeria are naturally prone to erosion due to their fragile nature (Oguike and Mbagwu, 2009). Mbaya (2013) argued that erosion is active and at an alarming rate around Gombe State due to soil structure and texture, slope, rainfall, and human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, excessive cultivation, and bush burning. He further stated that residents of Gombe have expressed concerns about the accelerated erosion rate, which has caused the loss of personal properties but also caused damages to infrastructure such as Culverts and roads as well as public and private buildings.
Key Words: Causes, Erosion, Investigation, Kaltungo 1. INTRODUCTION A desktop review of extant literature by the researchers reveals that erosion is a phenomenon enhanced by both natural factors and human activities and which occurs in all landscapes and under different land uses (Onwuka, 2008; Ibimilua and Ibimilua, 2011). As a host of animate and inanimate beings, the soil is the most vital natural resource on earth (Okin, 2002). Unfortunately, over 65 percent of the soil on earth is said to have displayed degradation phenomena as a result of erosion. Erosion according to Onuoha et al (2014) is the physical movement of soil particles from one location to another primarily caused by water forces or wind. He further stated the most common types of erosion include sheet, rill, and gully erosion. According to Quinton (2014), erosion is a globally significant environmental process that degrades the soil upon which we
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Natural causes of erosion included rainfall, soil texture and structure, and slope, while human causes of erosion include deforestation, excessive cultivation, overgrazing, and bush burning (Mbaya, 2013). Other causes of erosion are construction works, sand, and stone quarrying (Ubuoh, 2013), the nature of soil and topography (George et al., 2008), nature of topography (Igwe et al., 1999), excavations and mining, and climate (Igbokwe et al., 2008). Igbokwe et al (2008) state that settlement patterns can also cause erosion. Favorable condition is created for erosion when settlement is not planned, and houses are built indiscriminately without
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