IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF GULLY EROSION IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA: CASE STUDY OF NASARAWA STATE
1Anzaku, I. M., 2Ishaya, K. I. & 2Ogah, A. T.
1Department of Science, Bayero University, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
Department of Geography, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
Email: mamman.iliyasu@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT: This study assessed morphometric of gullies in Nasarawa state, Nigeria with a view to ascertain the level of distinction of the phenomenon in the state. Landscape morphology and the process that bring them into being have always been of interest to scholars. Landform evolution is therefore a product of the balancing of these forces in the presence of climatic and endogenic change geomorphic interaction is provided by the sun, geothermal and gravitational energy.Both primary and secondary data source were employed for this study. The primary data were collected from direct field observation and measurements. Secondary data were gathered through the review of relevant literature. A recommendation survey to ascertain the general characteristics of gullies in the state was carried out with the aid of topography map of the study area.The results generated from the field were subjected to statistical and laboratory analysis. The results of the findings revealed that gullies in Lafia and Wamba LGA of Nasarawa state are more affected 80% Kilema gully site in Lafia LGA recorded the highest intern of gully length 315m followed by Traffic in Wamba LGA 303m, UngwaSharu in Lafia LGA recorded the highest figure in term of gully length 325m followed by Traffic in Wamba LGA 285m respectively. In term of gully in the study area, it recorded number 21.2m, traffic in Wamba LGA 20.3m, Gangare wawa in Wamba LGA and Akurba in Lafia LGA recorded the same figure 17.3m, respectively. Gully site in Mama, in Wamba LGA and Uke in Karu LGA of the study area, recorded the last figure 4m in width magnitude. In term of area, gully site in Marhai in Wamba LGA, Mararaba in Karu LGA and UngwaTiv. In Lafia LGA recorded the highest number 0.21m2 and Adogi gully site in Lafia LGA recorded the last of 0.5m2. Majority of the gullies in the study area are characterized by U-S shape cross-section 60% and V-shape 30% U and V-shape 10%. The findings also revealed the results of the mean value of volume of soil loss in the study area was 14200.39tonnes/ha in all the gullies in the study area. The mean values of large gullies length were 254.77, depth was 11.86, while that of very small gullies was length 65.16, depth was 4.66 and slope angle was 9.0. Gullies in the area are long- narrow linear to rectangular shaped. 55.6% of gullies are at their continuous stage of development while 44.4% of gullies were at their continuous stage of development.
Keywords: Erosion, Gully Erosion, and Gully Characteristics.
