A pedologist is conducting a latitudinal transect across Nigeria to document soil zonal distribution. Arrange the following major soil groups in sequential order according to their dominant distribution, starting from the southern coastline (Niger Delta) and moving northward toward the semi-arid northern border with Niger Republic.
- 1Hydromorphic mangrove swamp soils of the coastal deltaic plains
- 2Deeply weathered, acidic ferrallitic soils (red and yellow earths) of the rainforest belt
- 3Ferruginous tropical soils developed over crystalline basement rocks in the Guinea savanna
- 4Weakly developed sandy regosols and brown soils of the Sudan and Sahel savanna zones
Answer
The correct South-to-North latitudinal sequence of soil zones in Nigeria is: Hydromorphic mangrove swamp soils of the coastal deltaic plains, followed by deeply weathered acidic ferrallitic soils of the rainforest belt, then ferruginous tropical soils of the Guinea savanna, and finally sandy regosols and brown soils of the Sudan/Sahel savanna in the far north.
Nigeria's soil belts reflect latitudinal climatic transitions (rainfall and vegetation) from south to north. The sequence begins at the coast with waterlogged hydromorphic mangrove soils in the Niger Delta, transitions inland to heavily leached ferrallitic soils in the tropical rainforest zone, moves into central Nigeria with ferruginous tropical soils in the Guinea savanna, and finishes at the northern border with semi-arid sandy regosols and brown soils of the Sahel belt.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Latitudinal Zonal Soil Distribution in Nigeria