Rocks of the basement complex form the parent materials for about half of the soils on the Jos Plateau, and some of these soils are intensively utilized for agricultural purposes on an annual basis. However, not much information is available on their formation and properties. The knowledge on their formation and properties is essential for their sustainable management and utilization.
The objectives of this study were: to characterize soils over selected basement complex lithologies on the Jos Plateau, assess their pedogenic characteristics, classify the soils using standard guidelines, investigate the pedogenic processes responsible for their formation, and evaluate erosional processes influencing pedogenesis in the study area. These would ensure a proper understanding of their pedogenic characteristics, and also allow better soil management and sound land use planning.
The research entailed a detailed field survey, which was preceded by initial detailed study of existing information and reconnaissance surveys of the study area. The study area was stratified into different geologic units, and within each unit further stratification was based on topographic characteristics. Surface soil sampling and profile pits studies were carried out; and morphological data collected using guidelines in the soil survey manual. Soil samples were analyzed in the laboratory using standard procedures and data collected was subjected to statistical analysis. Geographic Information Systems were used to analyze spatial data, while the Universal Soil Loss Equation was used to assess erosional processes in the study area.
This study has shown that various soil types exist in the basement complex areas of the Jos Plateau. Areas with high to extremely high actual erosion rates cover about 77% of the basement complex derived arable soils, thereby influencing soil fertility and pedogenic processes.
Table of Contents
1.1 THE BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.4 JUSTIFICATION
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
1.6 THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE STUDY AREA
1.6.1 Location and Size
1.6.2 Climate
1.6.3 Geology
1.6.4 Topography
1.6.5 Vegetation
1.6.6 Agricultural Land Use
2.1 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.2 FACTORS INFLUENCING PEDOGENESIS
2.2.1 Parent Material
2.2.2 Topography
2.2.3 Organisms
2.2.4 Climate
2.3 THE NIGERIAN BASEMENT COMPLEX ROCKS
2.3.1 Major Rock Types Found in the Basement Complex of the Jos Plateau
2.4 WEATHERING OF BASEMENT COMPLEX ROCK
2.5 CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS DERIVED FROM BASEMENT COMPLEX ROCK
2.5.1 Soil Morphology
2.5.2 Physical Properties
2.5.3 Soil Reaction
2.5.4 Soil and Plant Nutrients
2.5.5 Cation Exchange Characteristics
2.5.6 Organic Matter
2.5.7 Mineralogy
2.6 MAPPING AND CLASSIFICATION OF BASEMENT COMPLEX SOILS
2.7 SOIL EROSION
2.7.1 Anthropogenic Activities and Soil Erosion
2.7.2 Soil Erosion in Nigeria
2.7.3 Carbon Sequestration as Influenced by Soil Erosion in the Context of the Nigerian Environment
2.7.4 Factors Affecting Soil Erosion by Water
2.7.5 Classification of Degree of Accelerated Erosion
2.8 SOIL EROSION RISK ASSESSMENT
2.8.1 Expert-Based Approach and Factor Models
2.8.2 Process Models
3.1 TYPES OF DATA USED AND SOURCES
3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN
3.3 LABORATORY ANALYSIS
3.3.1 Particle Size Analysis
3.3.2 Soil pH and Reaction
3.3.3 Exchangeable Bases
3.3.5 Cation Exchange Capacity
3.3.6 Base Saturation Percentage
3.3.7 Organic Carbon
3.3.8 Available Phosphorus
3.3.9 Available Micronutrients
3.3.10 Total Elements
3.3.11 Pedogenic Forms of Iron and Aluminium Oxides
3.4 DATA ANALYSIS
3.5 APPLICATION OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR SOIL EROSION STATUS ASSESSMENT
3.6 DATA HANDLING IN GIS ENVIRONMENT
4.1 PROPERTIES OF SOILS DERIVED FROM BASEMENT COMPLEX ROCKS
4.1.1 Soil Morphology and Physical Characteristics
4.1.2 Soil Chemical Properties over Basement Complex Rocks
4.2 SOIL CLASSIFICATION
4.2.1 Soil Classification by USDA Soil Taxonomy
4.2.2 Soil Classification by World Reference Base for Soil Resources
4.3 PEDOGENIC PROCESSES IN THE BASEMENT COMPLEX AREAS
4.4 EROSION STATUS OF THE BASEMENT COMPLEX SOILS
5.1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
5.2 CONCLUSION
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
5.4 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
5.5 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY
5.4 CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE
Objectives and Scope
The primary objective of this research is to characterize soils developed over various basement complex lithologies on the Jos Plateau. By integrating field surveys with laboratory analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the study seeks to understand the pedogenic processes shaping these soils and evaluate the impact of erosion on their long-term agricultural sustainability and land management.
- Identification of distinct soil types within the basement complex areas of the Jos Plateau.
- Comprehensive assessment of pedogenic characteristics including morphological, physical, and chemical properties.
- Classification of soils based on international standards (USDA Soil Taxonomy and World Reference Base).
- Evaluation of erosional processes using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and spatial mapping.
- Development of insights for sustainable soil management and land use planning.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 THE BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The basement complex rocks are the oldest rocks in Nigeria. The Nigerian basement complex forms a part of the north-south trending orogenic belt which had been shown to extend westward into the Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana; and eastward into Cameroun and northward into Niger Republic (Imasuen, 2010). These basement complex rocks are found in uplifted areas such as in north central, western and two major blocks in eastern Nigeria (Szentes, 2009). These basement complex rocks are made up of granites, quartzites, schists and gneiss. The Nigerian basement complex rocks are subdivided into migmatite-gneiss complexes; the older metasediments; the younger metasediments; the older granites; and the younger granite alkaline ring complexes and volcanic rocks (Olaniyan,Agunwamba, & Ademiluyi, 2010). Similarly, Imasuen (2010) noted that the Nigerian basement complex consists of three broad lithological groups: polymetamorphic migmatite-gneiss complex, low grade sediment dominated schists and syntectonic to late tectonic granitic rocks. Furthermore, the granites are of two ages – moderately resistant, older which give rise to wide plains and hemispherical hills called inselbergs; and the harder younger granites which weather into rugged hills as are found on the Jos Plateau (Szentes, 2009). The older granites vary extensively in composition, while the younger granite complexes found mainly on the Jos Plateau, forming a distinctive group of intrusive and volcanic rocks that are bounded by ring dykes or ring faults (Szentes, 2009).
Pedogenesis is the set of dynamic processes by which a soil forms, as determined by the characteristics of its environment (the soil-forming factors), over time since the deposition of the geological material upon which the soils form. Soil genesis is underlain by two major concepts.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter One: Introduction: Outlines the significance of basement complex soils in Nigeria, the research problem regarding the lack of pedogenic data on the Jos Plateau, and the specific objectives and scope of the study.
Chapter Two: Literature Review: Provides a comprehensive overview of soil formation (pedogenesis), characteristics of basement complex rocks, factors influencing soil development, and existing models for assessing soil erosion risks.
Chapter Three: Materials and Methods: Details the field survey, data collection, laboratory analysis procedures, and the application of GIS and the Universal Soil Loss Equation to model erosion status.
Chapter Four: Results and Discussion: Presents the analysis of soil morphological, physical, and chemical properties, soil classification results, pedogenic process models, and the findings on current erosion status.
Chapter Five: Summary of Findings, Conclusion and Recommendations: Summarizes key research findings regarding the soil properties and erosion levels, concludes on the state of the soils, and provides recommendations for conservation and future research.
Keywords
Jos Plateau, Basement Complex, Pedogenesis, Soil Classification, Soil Erosion, GIS, USLE, USDA Soil Taxonomy, Soil Morphology, Land Use, Soil Fertility, Migmatite, Granite Gneiss, Biotite Granite, Sustainable Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on the characterization of pedogenic (soil-forming) processes and properties of soils derived from basement complex rocks located on the Jos Plateau in Nigeria.
What are the primary themes examined?
The study centers on soil classification, physical and chemical properties, and the assessment of soil erosion risks using spatial modeling techniques.
What is the main research objective?
The primary aim is to systematically characterize these soils and evaluate the erosional processes affecting their formation and current productivity, thereby providing a basis for improved land management.
Which methodologies are employed in the study?
The study uses a combination of detailed field surveys, laboratory testing of physical and chemical soil properties, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map erosion potential using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE).
What is discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the environmental characteristics of the study area, a review of pedogenesis theories, comprehensive laboratory data analysis, and the discussion of soil classification according to USDA and WRB standards.
How would you describe the main keywords?
Key terms include pedogenesis, Jos Plateau, basement complex, soil classification, and GIS-based erosion risk assessment, which reflect the interdisciplinary approach of the work.
How do basement complex rocks influence soil formation?
The composition of the underlying rock (granite, gneiss, migmatite) serves as the parent material, directly influencing the texture, mineralogy, and nutrient availability of the resulting soil profiles.
What is the conclusion regarding the erosion status of the Jos Plateau?
The research concludes that approximately 77% of the arable soils on the Jos Plateau are affected by high to extremely high erosion rates, necessitating urgent implementation of intensive conservation measures.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Ayodele Owonubi (Author), 2017, Pedogenic Characteristics of Basement Complex Soils on the Jos Plateau, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1380331
