The Impact of Soil Erosion on Biodiversity Conservation in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Southeastern Nigeria

Godson Chinonyerem Asuoha, Uchenna Paulinus Okafor, Philip Ogbonnia Phil-Eze and Romanus Udegbunam Ayadiuno
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Godson Chinonyerem Asuoha: Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
Uchenna Paulinus Okafor: Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
Philip Ogbonnia Phil-Eze: Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
Romanus Udegbunam Ayadiuno: Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 24, 1-17

Abstract: The impact of soil erosion on the conservation of biodiversity in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Southeastern Nigeria was examined. Data were obtained through focus group discussions and plant species enumeration. Diversity indices of plant species were derived from quadrat analysis using Shannon Wiener’s diversity index. Eighteen soil samples were collected from agricultural erosion sites in the study area and analysed in the laboratory. The results obtained were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA). The rotated component matrix of the soil properties, as well as plant and animal diversity indices from the PCA isolated three components that together explained 93.821% of the observed variation. The results show that bush clearing in the form of slash and burn, uncoordinated bush burning and harvesting of plant species are the activities that cause soil erosion in the study area. Agro-forestry, bush fallowing, reforestation and legislation on indiscriminate harvesting of plant species were recommended.

Keywords: biodiversity conservation; environmental degradation; soil erosion; environmental sustainability; species diversity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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