Match each major Nigerian soil group on the left with its primary geographical zone of distribution and pedological characteristic on the right.
- Ferrallitic Soils (Latosols)Dominant in the high-rainfall Southern Rainforest belt, characterized by deep weathering, heavy leaching, and high acidity.
- Ferruginous Tropical SoilsPrevalent across the Guinea Savanna on crystalline Basement Complex rocks, marked by a silica-rich layer and tendency to form surface crusts.
- Hydromorphic (Fadama) SoilsExtensively found across the Niger-Benue river basins and low-lying delta floodplains, characterized by high water tables and rich organic alluvial deposits.
- Regosols and Semi-Arid Brown SoilsRestricted to the semi-arid northern boundary zones such as Sokoto and Chad Basin, formed under sparse vegetation with low organic content.
Answer
Ferrallitic Soils match with the Southern Rainforest belt; Ferruginous Tropical Soils match with the Guinea Savanna on Basement Complex rocks; Hydromorphic Soils match with river basins and low-lying floodplains; Regosols and Semi-Arid Brown Soils match with the northern boundary zones.
Each Nigerian soil group reflects specific climatic, topographic, and lithological controls: Ferrallitic soils belong to the humid southern rainforest, Ferruginous tropical soils cover the central crystalline savanna, Hydromorphic soils occupy floodplains and valleys, and Regosols occur in the dry northern margins.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Zonal and Azonal Distribution of Soil Types in Nigeria