Research Article

Modelling Alternatives for Highland Soil Structural Degradation and Erodibility, Bui Plateau, Cameroon

Reeves M. Fokeng
The University of Bamenda, Cameroon
* Corresponding author
Zephania N. Fogwe
The University of Bamenda, Cameroon
Nadine T. Yemelong
The University of Bamenda, Cameroon
DOI icon 10.24018/ejgeo.2020.1.6.84

Read Counter
755

Downloads
493

Citations

Share

Article Sidebar

Submitted 2020-11-01
Published 2020-11-30

Read counter = 755 times

Table of Contents

Article Main Content

Highland triggers of soil physical degradation through the fragilisation of soil aggregates are primarily factors of soil biochemistry and anthropogenic mishandling of land resources. Soil degradation forms are challenging the sustenance of human systems on earth. This study probes into soil physical degradation and exposure to external stressors using 60 soil samples collected and analysed for soil aggregate stability, vulnerability and erodibility to determine soil structural stability/resilient capacity. The soils were found to be stable in structure, but highly vulnerable to stress and erodible. Coarse-granitic sandy soils just as the less evolved erosion soils of the eastern slopes of the plateau were proven to be most erodible and vulnerable to physical degradation. Soil Structural Stability Index (ISS) was very low (≤ 4.3%: severe physical degradation) for disturbed soils under grazing with similar tendencies on cultivated humid volcanic soils. High erosion vulnerability/erodibility soils are indicative of low organic matter and organic carbon content issuant of heavy and uncontrolled grazing, annual biomass burning and long-term cropping without soil improvement schemes which calls for guided land use practices over the Bui Plateau.

Keywords: Soil degradation, soil erosion, soil erodibility, Soil organic Carbon, Bui Plateau

References

  1. Z. N. Fogwe, “Landscape Degradation on the Kom Highlands (N.W. Province, Cameroon): An Environmental Assessment,” Doctorat de 3e Cycle Thesis, Dept. Geog., Univ., Yaoundé I, Cameroon, 1997.
     Google Scholar
  2. FAO, ITPS, “Status of the World’s Soil Resources (SWSR) – Main Report,” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils, Rome, Italy, 2015.
     Google Scholar
  3. S. Keesstra, G. Mol, J. de Leeuw, J. Okx, C. Molenaar, M. de Cleen, and S. Visser, “Soil-Related Sustainable Development Goals: Four Concepts to Make Land Degradation Neutrality and Restoration Work,” 2018, Land, 7, 133. doi:10.3390/land7040133.
     Google Scholar
  4. J. S. C. Mbagwu, (2003). “Aggregate Stability and Soil Degradation in the Tropics”, 2003. http://users.ictp.it/%7Epub_off/lectures/lns018/22Mbagwu1.pdf.
     Google Scholar
  5. R. Lal, A. Wagner, D. J. Greenland, T. Quine, D. W. Billing, R. Evans, K. Giller, “Degradation and Resilience of Soils”, 1997, Philos. Trans. R. Soc., 352: 1356, 997-1010.
     Google Scholar
  6. R. Lal, “Soil Erosion and Land Degradation: The Global Risks,” in Advances in Soil Science, R. Lal, and B. A. Stewart, Ed. Springer-Verlag New York Inc, 1990, pp. 129-172.
     Google Scholar
  7. P. Laban, G. Metternicht, J Davies, “Soil Biodiversity and Soil Organic Carbon: keeping drylands alive,” Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, 2018, viii + 24 pages, https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2018.03.en.
     Google Scholar
  8. J. Chen, J-Z. Chen, M-Z. Tan, Z-T. Gong, “Soil degradation: a global problem endangering sustainable development,” 2002, J. Geogr. Sci., vol. 12, 2, pp. 243-252.
     Google Scholar
  9. IRP, “Land Restoration for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: An International Resource Panel Think Piece,” J. E. Herrick, T. Abrahamse, P. C. Abhilash, S. H. Ali, P. Alvarez-Torres, A. S. Barau, C. Branquinho, A. Chhatre, J. L. Chotte, A. L. Cowie, K. F. Davis, S. A. Edrisi, M. S. Fennessy, S. Fletcher, A. C. Flores-Díaz, I. B. Franco, A. C. Ganguli, C. I. Speranza, M. J. Kamar, A. A. Kaudia, D. W. Kimiti, A. C. Luz, P. Matos, G. Metternicht, J. Neff, A. Nunes, A. O. Olaniyi, P. Pinho, E. Primmer, A. Quandt, P. Sarkar, S. J. Scherr, A. Singh, V. Sudoi, G. P. von Maltitz, L. Wertz, G. A. Zeleke, think piece of the International Resource Panel. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.
     Google Scholar
  10. Gomiero T, “Soil Degradation, Land Scarcity and Food Security: Reviewing a Complex Challenge,” Sustainability, vol. 8, 3, 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/su8030281.
     Google Scholar
  11. H, Eswaran, R. Lal, P. F. Reich, “Land degradation: an overview,” in Responses to Land Degradation. Proc. 2nd. Proceedings of International Conference on Land Degradation and Desertification, E. M. Bridges, I. D. Hannam, L. R. Oldeman, F. W. T. Pening de Vries, S. J. Scherr, S. Sompatpanit, Ed. Khon Kaen, Thailand. Oxford Press, New Delhi, India, 2001.
     Google Scholar
  12. O. J. Idowu, “Relationships between aggregate stability and selected soil properties in humid tropical environments,” 2003, Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal, 36, pp. 695–708.
     Google Scholar
  13. B. Wang, F. Zheng, M. J. M. Römkens, “Comparison of soil erodibility factors in USLE, RUSLE2, EPIC and Dg models based on a Chinese soil erodibility database,” 2013, Acta Agric Scand B Soil Plant Sci, vol. 63, 1 pp. 69-79, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09064710.2012.718358.
     Google Scholar
  14. C. M. Lambi, The impacts of human activities on land degradation in some highland regions of Cameroon: implications for development,” in Environmental Issues, Problems and Prospects, Unique Printers, Bamenda, 2001, pp. 45-66.
     Google Scholar
  15. S. S. Kometa, A. E. M. Tambe, “Watershed Degradation in the Bamendjin Area of the North West Region of Cameroon and Its Implication for Development,” 2012, J. Sustain. Dev, vol. 5, 9, pp. 75-84.
     Google Scholar
  16. E. Achankeng, M. R. Fokeng, “Montane Forest Loss and Watershed Degradation: Case of the Tubah Uplands of the North West Region of Cameroon,” 2015, Afr J Special Educ, vol. 3, 1.
     Google Scholar
  17. C. G. Kometa, “Drivers of Watershed Degradation and its Implications on Potable Water Supply in the Menchum River Basin of Cameroon,” 2019, World J of Social Sci, Research, vol. 6, 4, pp. 483-502.
     Google Scholar
  18. Z. N. Fogwe, M. Tchotsoua, “Ecological Adaptability and Slope-Trait Considerations for Water and Soil Conservation on the Vulnerable Oku-Kom Plateau in the Western Highland of Cameroon,” 2010, J Hum Ecol, vol. 30, 1, pp. 19-25.
     Google Scholar
  19. P. Tchawa, “La dégradation des sols dans le Bamiléké méridional conditions naturelles et facteurs anthropologiques,” 1993, Cahiers d'outre-mer, N° 181 - 46e, pp. 75-104.
     Google Scholar
  20. J. D. Ngandeu-Mboyo, M. Yemefack, R. Yongue-Fouateu, P. Bilong, “Erodibility of cultivated soils in the Foumbot Area (West Cameroon),” 2016, Tropicultura, vol. 34, 3, pp. 276-285.
     Google Scholar
  21. P. A. Tamfuh, A. H. Chotangui, V. Y. Katte, R. A. Achantap, A. M. Magha, D. E. Moundjeu, F. O. Tabi, D. Bitom, “Land Characteristics and Agricultural Suitability Status along a Toposequence in Santa, Bamenda Highlands, Cameroon,” 2020, HSOA J. Atmos. & Earth Sci.,, vol. 4: 022. DOI: 10.24966/AES-8780/100022.
     Google Scholar
  22. S. J. T. Tume, “Indigenous adaptation to climate variability of rain-fed agro-hydrological systems in the Bui Plateau, North West Region, Cameroon,” PhD Thesis, Dept of Geog. and Plan, Univ. Bamenda, Cameroon, 2019.
     Google Scholar
  23. P. Hawkins, Brunt M, “West Cameroon (Bamenda area soils),” 1965, https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/west-cameroon-bamenda-area-soils. Accessed on 27/10/2020.
     Google Scholar
  24. FAO, “Measuring and modelling soil carbon stocks and stock changes in livestock production systems: Guidelines for assessment (Version 1), Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership,” FAO, Rome, 2019.
     Google Scholar
  25. A. Walkley, I. A. Black, “An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method,” 1934, Soil Sci, 37, pp. 29–38.
     Google Scholar
  26. . Kumar, N. K. Sinha, “Geostatistics: Principles and Applications in Spatial Mapping of Soil Properties,” in Geospatial Technologies in Land Resources Mapping, Monitoring and Management, Geotechnologies and the Environment, G. P. O. Reddy, S. K. Singh Ed. 2018, 21, pp. 143-159. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78711-4_8.
     Google Scholar
  27. A. D. Hartkamp, K. De Beurs, A. Stein, J. W. White, “Interpolation techniques for climate variables. NRG-GIS series,” 99–01. Mexico City: CIMMYT, 1999.
     Google Scholar
  28. A. Almajmaie, M. Hardie, R. Doyle, R. B. Colin, T. Acuna, “Influence of soil properties on the aggregate stability of cultivated sandy clay loams,” 2017, J Soils Sediments, vol. 17, pp. 800–809. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-016-1568-1.
     Google Scholar
  29. M. Olaniya, P. K. Bora, S. Das, P. H. Chanu, “Soil erodibility indices under different land uses in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya (India),” 2020, Sci Rep, vol. 10, 14986, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72070-y.
     Google Scholar
  30. C. Pieri, “Fertility of Soils: A Future for Farming in the West-African Savannah,” Springer, Berlin, 1991.
     Google Scholar
  31. W. H. Wischmeier, D. D. Smith, Predicting rainfall erosion losses, a guide to conservation planning. United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Handbook No. 537, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1978.
     Google Scholar
  32. K. G. Renard, G. R. Foster, G. A. Weesies, D. K. McCool, D. C. Yoder, Prediction rainfall erosion by water, a guide to conservation planning with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 703. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997.
     Google Scholar
  33. H. H. Bennett, “Some comparisons of the properties of humid-tropical and humid-temperate American soils; with special reference to indicated relations between chemical composition and physical properties,” 1926, Soil Sci. vol. 21, 5, pp. 349–376.
     Google Scholar
  34. P. R. Bryan, “Measures of the degree of chemical weathering of rocks,”1968, J. Geol. 76, pp. 518–527.
     Google Scholar
  35. K. Kumar, S. K. Tripathi, K. S. Bhatia, “Erodibility characteristics of Rendhar watershed soils of Bundelkhand,” 1995 Indian J. Soil Conserv. 23, pp. 200–204.
     Google Scholar
  36. A. N. Sharply, J. R. Williams, EPIC-Erosion/Productivity Impact Calculator I, model documentation. U.S. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin, No. 1768. (Washington, DC: USDA Agricultural Research Service), 1990.
     Google Scholar
  37. C. Pieri, “Fertilité des Terres de Savane. Bilan de Trente Ans de Recherche et de Développement Agricoles au Sud du Sahara,” Ministère de la Coopération/Cirad, Paris, 1989.
     Google Scholar
  38. B. Wang, F. Zheng, Y. Guan, “Improved USLE-K factor prediction: A case study on water erosion areas in China,” 2016, Int Soil & Water Cons Res, vol. 4, pp. 168–176, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2016.08.003.
     Google Scholar
  39. W. H. Wischmeier, C. B. Johnson, B. V. Cross, “A soil erodibility nomograph for farmland and construction sites,” 1971, J. Soil & Water Cons., vol. 26, 5, pp.189–193.
     Google Scholar
  40. Z. N. Fogwe, “The Ndop Sabga Great Erosional Arc: Physical Milieu, Land Use and Erosional Risks,” Maîtrise Dissertation, Dept Geog., Univ. of Yaoundé I, 1990.
     Google Scholar
  41. Y. Le Bissonnais, D. Arrouays, “Aggregate stability and assessment of soil crustability and erodibility, II. Application to humic loamy soil with various organic carbon contents,” 1997, European J of Soil Sci, 48, pp. 39–48.
     Google Scholar
  42. E. T. Elliott, (1986). “Aggregate structure and carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in native and cultivated soils,” 1986, Soil Science Society of America Journal, 50, pp. 627–633.
     Google Scholar
  43. A. Golchin, P. Clarke, J. M. Oades, J. O. Skjemstad, “The effects of cultivation on the composition of organic-matter and structural stability of soils,” 1996 Australian Journal of Soil Research, 33, pp. 975–993.
     Google Scholar
  44. M. J. M. Römkens, C. B. Roth, D. W. Nelson, “Erodibility of selected clay subsoils in relation to physical and chemical properties,” 1997, Soil Sci Soc Am J, 41, pp. 954–960.
     Google Scholar
  45. J. S. C. Mbagwu, U. “Schwartzman, Some factors affecting clay dispersion and aggregate stability in selected soils of Nigeria,” 2006, Int Agrophys, vol. 20, pp. 23–30.
     Google Scholar
  46. S. Obalum G. Chibuike S. Peth, Y. Ouyang, “Soil organic matter as sole indicator of soil degradation,” 2017, Environ. Monit. Assess, vol. 189, 176. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-5881-y.
     Google Scholar
  47. W. H. Wischmeier, J. H. Mannering, “Relation of soil properties to its erodibility. 1969 Soil Science Society of America Proceedings,” 33, pp. 131–137.
     Google Scholar
  48. M. Conforti, G. Buttafuoco, A. P. Leone, P. P. C. Aucelli, G. Robustelli, F. Scarciglia. (2013). “Studying the relationship between water induced soil erosion and soil organic matter using Vis–NIR spectroscopy and geomorphological analysis: a case study in southern Italy,” 2013, Catena, vol. 110, pp. 44–58.
     Google Scholar