ABSTRACT

The study examined the variation of sediments loss among gullies in Ekpoma, Nigeria. Data were collected for a period of twelve weeks from the month of July to the month of September. Five determinant of sediments loss were examined, which include rainfall intensity, vegetation density, run-off velocity, gully slope and gully bed erodibility. From each gully erosion channel/site, the amount of sediments loss was measured by sediments traps, vegetation density was determined by sample plots, gully slope was measured by clinometer, run-off velocity was determined by stop watch and empty cans and rain fall intensity was measured in meteorological station. Soil samples were also collected from the eroded and non-eroded areas of the five gully erosion sites with auger, with the aim of determining the variation in the proportion of soil properties between the soils in eroded areas and the non-eroded areas. The data collected were analyzed using multiple linear regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation analysis. Three hypotheses were tested in the study. The result shows that there is significant variation in the influence of rainfall intensity, vegetation density, run-off velocity, gully slope and gully bed erodibility on sediments loss in each gully channel and that the variation in the amount of sediments loss among the gullies is also significant. The result further shows that sediments loss is significantly related to physical properties of the soil. Also, the sum of 499.92kg of sediments were recorded as loss during the period of measurement. It was therefore concluded that there is significant variation in the amount of sediments loss among the gully erosion sites in Ekpoma. The study recommends the provision of drainage systems and the growth of trees and carpet grasses (Axon opus) instead of hard pavements.