Assessing the Impacts of Deforestation on Soil Fertility and Agricultural Productivity in Southwestern Nigeria
Abstract
Southwestern Nigeria's deforestation threatens soil fertility and agricultural output. It examined how deforestation affects soil quality and crop production in selected farming communities in the region. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 400 respondents in a descriptive survey. Deforestation, soil fertility indices, and agricultural productivity were studied in the study. Descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and ANOVA were used to analyze quantitative data. Over the past decade, agricultural expansion, logging, fuelwood exploitation, and population pressure have reduced forest cover. Soil organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and moisture retention capacity were also significantly reduced by deforestation. Statistical investigation demonstrated that soil fertility increases agricultural output, but deforestation decreases soil quality and crop yield. Regression showed that deforestation predicts soil fertility decline and agricultural output. Soil deterioration increases production costs, farm revenue, and rural family food insecurity, according to the study. The paper states that deforestation threatens sustainable agriculture in Southwestern Nigeria and calls for integrated land-use planning, forest conservation, agroforestry, and soil management. Policymakers, environmental managers, and agricultural stakeholders seeking sustainable agricultural development and environmental sustainability in the region can learn from these findings.
References
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