Nigeria gully erosion crisis

It is an ecological, environmental, economic, and humanitarian disaster resulting in land degradation, as well as the loss of lives and properties worth millions of dollars.

Gullies and areas exposed to erosion in South Eastern Nigeria tripled from about 1.33% (1,021 km2) in 1976 to about 3.7% (2,820 km2) in 2006, making the region the most affected in the country.

[2][3] The South East region of Nigeria has long suffered erosion, mostly as a result of heavy rainfall leading to flooding.

[5] The process of gully formation is expedited by the types of soil in South Eastern Nigeria: sandy clay and loamy sand.

Since erosion plays a large role in soil depletion in this area, it is important to consider fertilization and irrigation when attempting to grow crops.

However, in Nigeria, the more significant causes of gully formation can be largely attributed to human activities such as: Though concentrated in several towns and states in the south-eastern part of the country, the crisis affects all Nigerians indirectly.

The highlands, which consist of cuesta landscapes, are resistant to erosion due to their soil composition, but they serve as paths for the water to runoff and erode the lowland areas.