Soil Erodibility Potential of Northern Part of Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Soil erosion by general description is the loosening, removal and transport of soil material from one place to another (detachment, transportation and deposition). It is a natural geomorphic process occurring continually over the earth’s surface [1]. It is a universal or natural occurrence wherever there is soil, and by agents such as wind, water, and/or ice. Soil erosion begins with detachment, which is caused by the breakdown of aggregates by rain impact, shearing, or the drag force of water [2]. The loss or removal of the superficial layer of the soil by the action of water, wind, or by the activities of man is now a global natural disaster which every country, as a matter of urgency must assess and mitigate against it in any form [3]. However, the acceleration of this process through anthropogenic perturbation can have severe impacts on soil and environmental quality. Detached particles are transported by flowing water, overland flow, inter-flow, and wind, then deposited when the velocity of water decreases by the effect of slope or ground cover. It is also of universal importance as man’s activities, directly or indirectly, depend on the soil.