A soil scientist conducts a field transect across Nigeria, traveling along a direct line of longitude from the southern coast along the Gulf of Guinea up to the northern boundary with Niger Republic. Arrange the following major soil groups in the precise sequential order in which they are encountered from South to North.
- 1Saline and freshwater Hydromorphic soils of coastal swamps and river deltas
- 2Deeply weathered, strongly leached Ferrallitic soils (Acid Sands) of the rainforest belt
- 3Rich reddish-brown Ferruginous tropical soils developed over Crystalline Basement Complex rocks
- 4Shallow, sandy Regosols and desertic brown soils formed from aeolian wind-blown deposits
Answer
The correct South-to-North sequence begins with coastal Hydromorphic soils, followed by rainforest Ferrallitic soils, middle-belt Ferruginous tropical soils, and ends with northern semi-arid Regosols/brown soils.
The latitudinal gradient of climate and vegetation across Nigeria directly controls soil formation from south to north. The sequence starts at the Atlantic coast with waterlogged Hydromorphic soils, transitions to heavily leached Ferrallitic soils under the southern rainforest, moves into seasonally dry Ferruginous tropical soils in the Guinea Savanna, and concludes at the northern arid border with wind-deposited Regosols and brown soils.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Latitudinal Zonal Soil Distribution in Nigeria