An Assessment on the Socio-Economic Effect of Gully Erosion on Dwellers of Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State
An Assessment on the Socio-Economic Effect of Gully Erosion on Dwellers of Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
ABSTRACT
Soil erosion is the systematic removal of soil including plant nutrients from the land surface by various agents of denudation.
This study intends to examine the community assessment on the social and economic effect of gully erosion on dwellers of Ihube, Amuro, and Ugwaku communities in okigwe local government of Imo state respectively.
It also intends to identify the percentage of gully erosion area affected in the total land-use area of the communities/ villages under study. Moreover, the factors responsible for the gully incidents in the study area and ways of controlling them were not left unattended.
Data for the study was collected mostly from two sources; primary source and secondary source. The primary source of data is a direct observation from fieldwork and the use of questionnaires.
While the secondary source includes location maps, library materials such as journals unpublished B.Sc, M.Sc, and Ph.D. thesis, seminars, and conference papers.
Slovin’s formula was used to determine sample size; Descriptive statistical tools were applied to deal with the method and techniques of summarizing and describing information (data).
Percentages and frequencies were equally used in order to achieve a more detailed and comprehensive research study. The data obtained was tested and accepted at a 0.005 level of significance.
Multiple linear regression (MLR) was used to test the first hypothesis which states that “There is no significant relationship between (Ho) the gully erosion (area of erosion sites) and the building destroyed as well as an expanse of farmland affected by erosion”.
Whereas Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the second hypothesis which states that “Dweller’s perception on the effect of gully erosion on the social and economic nature of the affected communities in the study area does not differ significantly.
Findings are that “There is a significant relationship between gully erosion and socio-economic values of properties affected by gully erosion in the three communities.
And the result of the second hypothesis reveals that “Dwellers perception on the effect of gully erosion on the socio-economic nature of the affected communities in the study area differs significantly.
The solution to the gully erosion menace is to treat it as a vital component of the broad issue of environmental problem management. This will be achieved with adequate knowledge of the environment.
INTRODUCTION
1.10 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
In spite of the technological advancement, the threat of erosion still poses a major problem in Nigeria especially in the South Eastern parts of Nigeria.
The yearly heavy rainfall has very adverse impacts altering existing landscape and forms. Such landforms create deep gullies that cut into the soil. The gullies spread and grow until the soil is removed from the sloping ground.
Gullies when formed expand rapidly coupled with exceptional storm or torrential rain down the stream by headward erosion gulping up arable lands, economic trees, homes, lives, sacking of families (Umudu, 2008), and valuable property worth millions of naira.
As a matter of fact, there is a direct correlation between development and the effect of gully erosion in Imo State. In tropical and semi-arid regions, the ever-abiding presences of gullies are seen.
This is however associated with traditional agricultural practices seen in that area (Federal Ministry of Agriculture and National Resource, 1990). Poorly planned and executed infrastructure development such as bridge construction, roads, telecommunication poles and masts, railways, and power lines are associated with gully erosion.
It is worthy to note that conservation measures depend upon a thorough understanding of the mechanics of the erosion processes. Physical and human factors should however be put into consideration. Gully erosion always starts unnoticed and certainly not when it takes place slowly.
The results are remarkable in terms of loss of land and properties. About 45% of the land surface of the eastern states are affected by measurable sheet erosion while about 20% of land surface suffers from severe sheet erosion. There is a dearth of studies on recent changes in landforms due to erosion in the south-eastern part of Nigeria.
REFERENCES
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Akpokodje, E.G., Olurunfemi, B.N. & Etu-Efeotor, J.O. 1986. Geotechnical properties of soils susceptible to erosion in south eastern Nigeria. Nigerian Jour. Applied Sci. 3(1) p81-95.
Bruce Carey (2006). Natural Resource Sciences; Gully Erosion. March 2006 QNRM05374 Queensland the Smart State Chukwuedozie Kelechukwu A. and Arinze Tagbo M. (2011).
Egboka, B.C.E and Okpoko E.I. (1984), gully erosion in the Agulu-Nanka region of Anambra State, Nigeria. Proceedings of the Harare symposium. IAHS Publication, 144, pp 335-347.
