Influence of ground cover on spillways formation in Ikang, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

 

Egbai, O. O, Agbochom, E. E., Akintoye, O. A. and Edet, E. O.

 

Full Length Research Paper I Published October,2017

 

Journal of Physical Science and Environmental Studies Vol. 3 (5), pp. 58-62

ABSTRACT

An investigation of various ground covers crops was conducted between January and July 2017 with the aim of identifying the less vulnerable ground cover type to erosion perturbation. Plots dimension of 10m x 80m were delineated at slope range of 2.5 and 3.5 percent. Subplots of 10m x 10m were replicated across the experimental sites. Measurement of erosion features like number of spillways, total length, depth and width of channels were taken across the plots with measuring tape and weighing balance. Descriptive statistics were employed to show the range and other parameters. The result showed a marked difference in the measured parameters. The highest length, width, depth and highest number of spillways were traceable to control plot (near bare land). A total of 21 spillways, depth of 19.1cm, width of 70cm and length of 602cm were recorded in the said plot while the least values were obtained in shrub plot with 4 spillways, 3.3 cm depth, 10.0cm width and a total length of 372cm indicating obvious differences in their ground cover potentials. The study recommends bush fallow (shrubs) and intercropping with melon in the context of sloppy land terrain as effective means of reducing spillways formation.

Key words: Ground cover, spillways, rill, channel, bush fallow, shrubs, erosion features.

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