Although it is widely recognised that environmental problems such as soil degradation erosion and desertification threaten sustained agricultural production in many States of northern Nigeria including Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara. Very little information is available about the current status of the potential impact of soil degradation and whether the situation is worsening in all the States of northern Nigeria. However, it is now clear that the major factor explaining the severity and spatial distribution of soil degradation such as erosion and desertification in northern Nigeria is associated with human impact such as deforestation and mismanagement of land resources. Other factors includes overgrazing, use of mechanized equipment, deforestation and lack of government concern to protect the environment in the region, but few studies have been made on applied issues related to the physical and chemical processes including erosion, runoff and leaching. These problems are widely considered as a serious problem to agricultural production and its environmental consequences will remain an important issue during the 21st century.
Possible solutions such as soil management practices will help to minimise/control soil degradations which caused serious hazards to farmer’s land in northern Nigeria. Sustainable soil management practices are vital for enhancing and sustaining the productivity of soil, food, livestock, water quality and other related land resources such as forestry in northern Nigeria. It is more efficient in terms of reduced environmental impact, high risk of soil degradation and soil erosion. These management practices are: (a) applying organic manure regularly, (b) growing cover crops in rotation with millet/sorghum, (c) Intercropping and multiple cropping systems, (d) crop rotation system, (e) planting shelter belt around the farm (f) minimum tillage system, (g) good drainage system and (h) good government policies. However two steps will help to achieve the successful implementaion of those management practices in northern Nigeria. These are: (a) good government policies with quality initiative and (b) general cooperation from individual, community and people in concerned.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 General introduction
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Area of study
1.3 Key soil types in the study area
1.4 Key crop growing and farming system
1.5 Aims and 0bjectives
Chapter 2 Literature background
2.1 Soil and Agriculture
2.2 Drylands: meaning and characteristic features
2.3 Concept of soil evolution in history
2.4 Soil: properties and components
2.5 Physical property of soil
2.5.1 Soil texture
2.5.2 Soil structure
2.6 Soil organic matter
2.7 Fertile and productive soil in agriculture
2.8 Soil: an essential medium for growing crops
2.9 Environmental degradation and their consequences
2.9.1 Types of soil degradation process
2.9.2 Classes of land degradation severity
2.10 Soil erosion
2.10.1 Types of soil erosion
2.10.2 Erosion by water (rain)
2.10.3 Erosion by wind
2.10.4 Implications of soil erosion by water and wind
2.11 Desertification
2.11.1 Causes of desertification and implications
2.12 Soil sustainability: meaning and importance in agriculture
2.13 Sustainable soil management practices
2.13.1 Use of manure and composting in agriculture
2.13.2 Mulching
2.13.3 Intercropping
2.13.4 Crop rotation
2.13.5 Chemical fertilizers
2.13.6 Cover crops
2.13.7 Afforestation and Shelter belt
2.13.8 Tillage and contour ploughing
2.14 Summary of chapter 2
Chapter 3 General discussions on key soil problems and their possible solutions in northern Nigeria
3.1 Key soil problems in northern Nigeria
3.1.1 Soil Erosion in northern Nigeria
3.1.2 Agents of soil erosion
3.1.3 Desertification in northern Nigeria
3.1.4 Potential impact of soil erosion and desertification in northern Nigeria
3.1.4.1 Impacts and causes of nutrient losses from soil
3.1.4.2 Impact and causes of decreased in crop yield
3.2 Possible solutions to control soil degradation in northern Nigeria
3.2.1 Maintenance of soil fertility in northern Nigeria
3.2.2 Soil management practices in northern Nigeria
3.2.2.1 Use of manure
3.2.2.2 Mulching by spreading straw on topsoil
3.2.2.3 Intercropping
3.2.2.4 Crop rotation system
3.2.2.5 Nutrient and chemical fertilizers
3.3 Alternative measures to control of soil erosion in northern Nigeria
3.3.1 Control of water erosion
3.3.1.1 Protective cover
3.3.1.2 Technical changes
3.3.1.3 Practical/physical changes
3.3.1.4 Political changes
3.3.2 Control of wind erosion
3.3.2.1 Vegetation cover
3.3.2.2 Provision of windbreak and shelterbelt
3.3.2.3 Listing of sandy soils
3.3.3 Control of desertification in northern Nigeria
3.4 Alternative measures to control desertification in northern Nigeria
3.4.1 Afforestation and tree plantation
3.4.2 Agro-pastoral systems
3.4.3 Restoration of rangeland
3.4.4 Regeneration and secondary forest
3.5 Summary of chapter 3
Chapter 4 Conclusions
4.1 Summary and Recommendations
Research Objective and Themes
This thesis examines the environmental crisis in northern Nigeria, focusing on the primary threats of soil degradation, erosion, and desertification that impede sustainable agricultural productivity. It aims to analyze the causal factors of these issues, such as human-induced land mismanagement, and to evaluate potential sustainable management strategies to mitigate these hazards.
- The impact of soil degradation on agricultural yield and food security.
- Analysis of erosion processes (wind and water) in arid environments.
- Evaluation of soil management practices like mulching, intercropping, and crop rotation.
- The role of government policy and integrated land-use management in sustainable development.
- The socioeconomic implications of soil health for rural populations in northern Nigeria.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1 Soil Erosion in northern Nigeria
Soil erosion has been considered as a serious problem in northern Nigeria (Muhamman and Gungula, 2006). Two major types of erosion have described as the most serious problem in northern Nigeria (FMEN, 2001): the geological and the accelerated types of erosion. These have been identified as one of the most serious environmental and agricultural problems in many arid and semi-arid agricultural regions of the world (Gomes et al., 2003). Each year around 351, 000 hectares of land in northern Nigeria are affected by soil erosion (Brown, 2005). The most affected states in the region are (FMEN, 2001): Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara.
In northern Nigeria, with the increase in population since independence in 1960, demand for land has also increased, resulting in intensive cultivation with little or no fallow periods (Weber et al., 1996; Lal, 2000). This reduces soil fertility, destroys soil organic matter, increases soil acidity and accelerates desertification through erosion by agents such as wind (Stockwell and Fisher, 1996). Thus, farmers are forced to maximize productivity of their scarcest land, by increased use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. These practices are not sustainable in nature and will definitely expose the soil to hazardous conditions such as erosion by wind and rain (Su et al., 2002; Gomes et al., 2003), weed development, insect pest build-up, loss of soil fertility and increased acidity (Stockwell and Fisher, 1996). Therefore, such practices need to be minimized in regions such as that of northern Nigeria.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1 General introduction: Provides the context of the importance of soil for global food production and outlines the specific environmental degradation issues facing northern Nigeria.
Chapter 2 Literature background: Explores fundamental soil science concepts, the definition and characteristics of drylands, and details the mechanisms of soil erosion and degradation processes.
Chapter 3 General discussions on key soil problems and their possible solutions in northern Nigeria: Discusses the localized impacts of erosion and desertification in northern Nigerian states and reviews various management strategies like manure application and agro-pastoral systems.
Chapter 4 Conclusions: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that integrated soil management practices are essential for achieving sustainable agricultural development in northern Nigeria.
Keywords
Soil degradation, northern Nigeria, soil erosion, desertification, sustainable agriculture, soil fertility, dryland farming, nutrient loss, crop rotation, intercropping, land management, environmental protection, organic manure, agricultural productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The research focuses on analyzing the environmental challenges facing dryland soils in northern Nigeria, specifically how soil degradation, erosion, and desertification affect agricultural sustainability.
What are the core thematic areas discussed in the work?
The work covers soil properties and components, the mechanisms behind water and wind erosion, the drivers of desertification, and various sustainable management practices like mulching, intercropping, and the use of shelterbelts.
What is the primary goal or research question?
The objective is to understand the causal factors behind soil degradation in northern Nigeria and to identify effective, sustainable management practices to minimize these impacts and restore soil fertility.
Which scientific methods or approaches are used?
The author performs an extensive literature review, synthesizing data from diverse international scientific sources and regional studies to map the problem and evaluate existing and potential solutions for the northern Nigerian environment.
What is covered in the main body?
The main body investigates the physical and chemical processes of soil degradation, provides statistical data on the extent of land impact in African states, and details practical agronomic solutions ranging from technical changes to improved government policy.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include soil degradation, northern Nigeria, erosion, desertification, sustainable agriculture, soil fertility, dryland farming, nutrient loss, and land management.
How does intensive cultivation exacerbate soil issues in northern Nigeria?
Intensive cultivation with little to no fallow periods destroys soil organic matter and increases acidity, which in turn makes the soil more vulnerable to wind and water erosion as well as nutrient depletion.
What role do shelterbelts play in controlling erosion?
Shelterbelts act as physical barriers against prevailing winds, reducing wind speed, protecting crops from aerial damage, and helping to conserve soil moisture, which is critical in arid regions.
- Quote paper
- PhD Student Suleiman Usman (Author), 2007, Sustainable Soil Management of the Dryland Soils in Northern Nigeria, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/172291
