GULLY EROSION

The research work investigates the anthropogenic factors the causes gully erosion and its impact on the environment and land of Iguobazuwa in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State. Four (4) research questions were raised to guide this study. The population of this study comprised of all residents in Iguobazuwa Community which has a total number of one hundred and thirty eight thousand and seventy two (138,072) and purposive random sampling technique was adopted to select one hundred (100) respondents for this research. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study and a structured questionnaire was used after being validated by the project supervisor and two other experts from the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education. Data collected was analyzed using percentage computation. The study concluded that although gully erosion is a natural process, cause by natural phenomenon such as wind, precipitation and others, human activities contributes highly to the gully erosion situation and such activities are increasing day by day. The gully erosion in iguobazuwa community is caused mainly by the activities of members of the community such as; improper land use, poor drainage system, poor agricultural practices and dumping of refuse into water channels there restricting the flow of water. The community is aware of the problems posed by gully erosion and are supportive of measures to control this situation. In order to successfully implement measures to control gully erosion, proper enlightenment and awareness program on the factors, effect and control of gully erosion should be provided for the community. Also the government should see the gully erosion situation as a case of emergency and attend to it immediately at its early stage before it gets worsen and nothing can be done about it. Based on the findings it was therefore recommended that; Buildings should be constructed in compliance of approved environmental standards, the government alone should not be in charge of trying to control the situation, individuals and members of communities are expected to play their own role in the control of gully erosion, they are expected to work hand in hand with the
government and dumping of refuse into drainage system and water channels should be prohibited.

The aim of this project is to investigate the title; perceived consequences of gully erosion in Ekosodin community. To guide this study,five (5) research questions were raised. The descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. The sample size was 397 respondents drawn from the total population of 45,000 individuals in Ekosodin community(National Population Commission). Self structured questionaire was used as the instrument for the study. The validity of the instrument was established by the supervisor and two other experts in the field of study. The reliability of the instrument was established using the test- retest method to estimate reliability .The data obtained from the questionaire were subjected to analysis using frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that gully erosion significantly impacts the community, leading to economic losses, health risks, and displacement. The study showed a strong correlation between gully erosion and reduced agricultural productivity, the spread of diseases, and displacement of residents. In conclusion, the study confirms that gully erosion has a significant impact on the lives of residents in Ekosodin, affecting both the environment and socio-ec nomic well-being. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach, including better land use practices, infrastructure development, and community-based solutions. Based on these findings, recommendations include improving land management practices, enhancing drainage systems and providing resettlement assistance to displaced residents.

This research delves into the elements that lead to the creation of gullies, with a particular emphasis on the soil attributes at the gully location of the University of Benin. Soil samples were extracted from three distinct points at the site. A series of examinations were performed on these samples to ascertain their soil properties, encompassing sieve analysis, specific gravity, Atterberg limits, compaction, and triaxial tests. The results of the various tests reveals that soil samples had a medium liquid limit and relatively low plasticity for the Atterberg limits. There is a specific gravity range of 2.61 to 2.64 for the soil samples classifying them as organic soils according to classification system proposed by Bowles (2012). The compaction test revealed that soil retains a significant amount of moisture even when compacted to its densest state. The triaxial test revealed that the soil exhibits a relatively low friction angle coupled with substantial cohesion. And finally the sieve analysis shed light on the particle size distribution in the soil samples, which exhibit a reddish-brown coloration and are located below the A-line on the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) chart, classifying them as silts. Known for their moderate infiltration rates, these silts contribute to increased surface runoff, which is a key factor in gully development.