Match each Nigerian geographical zone and its associated soil group on the left with the targeted soil conservation and management strategy used to mitigate its primary degradation threat on the right.
- Southeastern Cuesta Zone (Deeply leached Ferrallitic soils)Construction of check dams and intensive reforestation to halt expanding gully systems caused by heavy runoff
- Northern Semi-Arid Boundary (Loose Regosols and Brown soils)Establishment of tree shelterbelts and windbreaks to reduce Harmattan wind deflation and dune encroachment
- Niger-Benue Trough Floodplains (Seasonally inundated Hydromorphic soils)Implementation of controlled drainage structures and raised beds to manage floodwaters for continuous cropping
- Guinea Savanna Plateau (Richly weathered Ferruginous tropical soils)Mechanical subsoiling and cover cropping to break up impermeable subsurface lateritic hardpans
Answer
Southeastern Cuesta Zone (Ferrallitic soils) matches with construction of check dams and intensive reforestation; Northern Semi-Arid Boundary (Regosols and Brown soils) matches with establishment of tree shelterbelts and windbreaks; Niger-Benue Trough Floodplains (Hydromorphic soils) matches with implementation of controlled drainage structures and raised beds; Guinea Savanna Plateau (Ferruginous tropical soils) matches with mechanical subsoiling and cover cropping.
Each major soil group in Nigeria exhibits distinct degradation challenges dictated by regional climate and parent material. Ferrallitic soils in rainfall-heavy southeastern terrain require physical runoff barriers (check dams) and root binding (reforestation). Arid northern Regosols need tree shelterbelts to check dry wind erosion. Riverine Hydromorphic soils require water-level management via drainage to maximize agricultural use, while Savanna Ferruginous soils demand subsoiling to break hard lateritic layers formed under alternating moisture regimes.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Soil Degradation Vulnerabilities and Conservation Techniques in Regional Nigeria