Indices of Land Degradation and Control Measures in Selected Urban Communities of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the causal factors of land degradation in urban areas of Abeokuta and the employed control measures by residents of the communities. A qualitative approach, which encompasses observational techniques – participant/field observation, interactive discussion and photographic capturing, was used for collection of data on land degradation in the study area. Analysis of collected data showed land gradients, rainfall and run-offs, erosion, entrenched foot paths, sand scraping/mining, poor/absence of drainage system and land covers as causal factors of land degradation in the study area. The study though observed that control measures such as filling of drenches with sand bags, wood logs, bricks and stones were employed by residents in the study area, construction of good drainage system was presumed to be the most appropriate and sustainable control measure of water erosion in the study area.

Effectiveness and sustainability of remedial actions for land restoration in Abeokuta urban communities, Ogun state, Nigeria

“…This submission is premised on the observed impact of population pressure on land space in Abeokuta whereby new vegetation covers are cleared for construction of housing units, terrains, commercial and industrial centres for the purpose of fulfilling their social and economic engagement. This is however accompanied by poor land use pattern and other land-pressure exacting activities, among which are poor arrangement of housing units, non-construction or poorly constructed drainages, sand mining, compaction of terrains arising from entrenched footpaths [LAWAL-ADEBOWALE, AROMOLARAN 2015]. This land-pressure exacting activities, alongside the land gradient/slopes of the environment create the platform for runoff whenever it rains and the consequent degradation of land area of the communities.…”