|
|
| |
| An Assessment of Gully Erosion Expansion at Ikeduru Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria
Download PDF
|
Dr. Amanawa, David Ebiegberi and Uguta, Lawrence Ebiwari
|
Abstract:
The study investigates the assessment of gully erosion expansion in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State, Nigeria (2017 to 2022). The specific objectives of the study are to determine the demographic structure of the respondents from Ikeduru LGA; examine the adverse socio-economic and environmental impacts of the gully erosion on the various land uses in the study area between 2017-2022; analyze the geotechnical indices for the soil samples in the study area; measure the rate of gully expansion at the study area; and examine indigenous approaches in mitigating gully expansion in the study area. A Tayo-Yamane sampling technique was used to select one hundred (100) respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and correlation analysis were used to test the five hypotheses. The study revealed the adverse socio-economic and environmental impacts gully erosion had on the indigenes of Ikeduru LGA and also the geotechnical indices of the soil samples of the study area, its causes, and approaches to mitigate against gully erosion, especially barrier, and a sound drainage system. The study thus concludes that our environment is a part of our social and economic survival, and what happens within the environment in which we live can negatively impact our survival. More so, for greater effectiveness, the solution to the impact of gully erosion is to treat it urgently. Among the recommendations is that there should be a massive public awareness campaign on the problems and consequences of gully erosion and that environmental laws and severe penalties for offenders be enacted. This will go a long way in making the inhabitants adhere to environmental best practices, thereby mitigating the menace.
|
|
|
| | |