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Difficulty: MediumSoil Types, Distribution, and Soil Conservation in Nigeria

In southeastern Nigeria, heavy equatorial rainfall acting on deeply weathered, leached Ferrallitic soils frequently triggers catastrophic gully erosion following vegetation removal. Which of the following soil conservation strategies is most suitable for halting active gully extension and re-stabilizing these degraded slopes?

  1. Establishing tree plantations and constructing structural check dams along gully channelsAnswer
  2. B
    Practicing deep plowing parallel to slope gradients to increase rainwater infiltration
  3. C
    Conducting annual controlled bush burning to clear vegetation debris from drainage paths
  4. D
    Shifting tree crops to northern drylands to allow natural rock weathering processes to rebuild topsoil

Answer

Establishing tree plantations and constructing structural check dams along gully channels
Establishing tree cover (afforestation) anchors loose, deeply weathered Ferrallitic subsoils with root networks and intercepts heavy rainfall, while check dams physically obstruct channelized runoff, reducing its scouring energy and trapping eroded sediment to heal active gullies.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary cause of severe gully degradation on Ferrallitic soils in southeastern Nigeria
Gully erosion is driven by intense rainfall runoff scouring highly leached, unconsolidated sandy-clay soils after forest clearance.
Understanding the physical mechanics of water erosion isolates the necessary intervention.
2
Evaluate conservation measures that directly counteract runoff velocity and soil detachment
Tree roots bind vulnerable subsoil layers, while physical check dams slow down torrent flow, trapping suspended sediments inside the gully channel.
Revegetation combined with mechanical barriers provides immediate and long-term stabilization.

Key Concept

Soil Conservation Measures for Gully Erosion in Nigeria
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Topics

Soil Types, Distribution, and Soil Conservation in Nigeria

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