Gully Erosion in Southeastern Nigeria: Role of Soil Properties and Environmental Factors

The countries of sub-Saharan Africa are besieged by serious environmental degradation re‐ sulting in desert encroachment, draught and soil erosion due to either wind impact or very high intensive rainfall resulting in heavy runoff and soil loss. The problems have adversely affected agricultural productivity and thus casting doubt of food security in the zone. The ecological and social settings in the zone are often distorted some times leading to losses in human and material capitals. In Nigeria desertification and aridity are the major environ‐ mental problems of the Northern part of the country while the high torrential rainfall of the southern Nigeria creates enabling environment for catastrophic soil erosion in the region.