IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science (IJAES )

E- ISSN 2489-0081
P- ISSN 2695-1894
VOL. 10 NO. 7 2024
DOI: 10.56201/ijaes.v10.no7.2024.pg144.155

---

Anthropogenic Activities, Soil Quality and Crop Production in Ukwa East Area of Abia State, Nigeria

Ukpere, Dennis Tobins (PhD) And Jaja Bertha Ibinye (PhD)

---

Abstract

The study examined the impacts of anthropogenic activities on soil quality and crop production in Ukwa-East Area of Abia State. It used field surveys and experiments and relied mostly on primary data generated through laboratory analysis of soil samples and 447 copies of questionnaire retrieved from 447 randomly selected farmers. The soil samples were collected at depths of 0- 40cm from both cultivated and non-cultivated lands. Four research questions, four specific objectives and one hypothesis guided the study. Descriptive statistics was applied for the research questions while the hypothesis was tested using two- sample t-test at 0.05 significant levels. The main finding are: anthropogenic activities (timber harvesting, fuel wood collection, continuous cultivation) is causing changes (decline) in soil quality; and this is affecting crop production in the area. Ten communities were identified as the most prone to deforestation, intensive farming and soil erosion: (Akwete, Obunku, Ohambele, Umuogor, Abaki, Azumini, Akirika, Obohia, Mkporobe and Obanku). There is significant difference in soil macro-nutrients (NPK), moisture, TOC and TOM between the control site (nor-cultivated land) and experimental sites. Control sites: (sand 65.50%, silt 12.55%, clay 22.95%, N 42.34mg/kg, P 11.79 mg/kg, K 7.75 mg/kg, TOM 26.67, pH 5.6, TOC 34.21%, Temp 26.06oC, moisture 12.03%). Experimental sites mean values: (sand 76.98%, silt 13.38%, clay 8.28%, N 0.10 mg/kg, P 0.10 mg/kg, K 3.6 mg/kg, TOM 7.0, pH 4.6, TOC 5.96%, Temp 26.3oC, moisture 3.4%). The paper therefore recommended for well- coordinated enlightenment campaigns for the use of organic fertilizer and discouragement of acts of deforestation.

keywords:

Anthropogenic activities, soil quality/nutrients, crop production, Ukwa East

---

References:

Agyei, Y. (2009). Deforestation in Sub-Shara Africa. Technology Forum 8, (1).
Isric, P. (2007). World soil information. http://www.isric.org/content/soter-publication.
Lambin, E. F. and Geist, H. J. (2013). Dynamics of Landuse and Landcover change in Tropical
Regions- Annual Reviews Environ. Resources, 28, 205-241.
National Population Commission (NPC web, 2010). National population Estimates. NPC
National Population Commission (NPC, 2006). National population and housing census.
NPC
Oguguo, A. N. (2021). Soil nutrients status and agricultural productivity of selected farmlands in
Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. Unpublished M.Sc. Dissertation, Dept.
of Geography and Environmental Studies, I.A.U.E.
Randolph, J.K. (2017). Forest resources. London: UCL Press.
Ukpere, D. R. T. (2005). Effects of waste dumps on landuse and property values in Port Harcourt.
Unpublished M.Sc Thesis, Department of Geography & Environmental Management.
University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt.
Ukpere, D. R. T. (2019), “Urban Environmental Management crises in Africa; the menace of
domestic sewage generation in Port Harcourt, Nigeria” in Albert, I. O. & Lawauson. T.
(eds.) urbanism and crisis management in Nigeria – essays in honour of Prof. A. I.,
Mabogunje. University of Ibadan Press.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, 2016). Diminishing forests and
biodiversity lost. Paper No. 148. Washington: USDA.
Vitousek (2002). Towards ecological understanding of biological nitrogen fiction.
World Rainforest Movement (WRM, 2010). Rain forest destruction – why?
www.wrm/worldforests/destruction/why?

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back