Effect of Slope Positions on Properties of Soils of some Forest reserves in South-West Nigeria
Loading...
Date
2021-08-27
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nigerian Journal of Soil Science
Abstract
Topography has an influence on soil erosion and consequently on the properties
of soils. The effect of slope position on soil properties is of great importance in
soil suitability assessment. This study assessed the effect of topographic position
on the characteristics of soil of basement complex rocks derived soils under Teak
(Tectona grandis) and Gmelina (Gmelina arborea) plantations in Osun sacred
grove, Onigambari and Omo forest reserves situated within South-West Nigeria.
Three soil profiles were dug in each landuse type, sited at the upper, middle and
lower slope positions along a toposequence. Soil samples were collected according to their pedogenetic horizons and were analyzed using standard methods.
Results showed variations in colour, depth of soil profile, soil structure, texture,
drainage and soil consistence. The high sand content dominated the particle size
fraction in all the soils formed from the three locations, and base saturation was
rated very high with values >90% irrespective of the toposequence or slope position. The result of correlation analysis between slope position and content of N,
P, K and CEC showed a significant relationship irrespective of locations with N(r
= 0.019<0.05), P (r = 0.041<0.05), K(r = 0.033<0.05) and CEC(r =0.025< 0.05)
respectively. Despite variation in soil properties as influenced by topography, the
studied soils can sustain the current land use type. It was concluded that soils on
different topographic positions should be managed differently