Impact of Human Activities on the Soils in Edo North Region of Nigeria

Abstract

This study which benefits from field data and valid soil literature examines the impact of human activities on the soils found in the Edo North Region of Nigeria. Using environmental attributes such as colour, texture, soil biodiversity, water percolation and retention, and variety of crops grown on the soils, the study identifies fertile, dark-loamy, soft-grey alluvial, silt-sandy, mixed gravel and sticky brown-red soils in the region. It observes that anthropogenic activities which span surface construction of socio-economic facilities, reckless burning of solid wastes, chemical elimination of surface grasses, pipeline vandalism and seasonal migration of animals cause adverse impacts on the soils which range from surface degradation through vital resource pollution to soil infertility. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the region’s soils which deserve diligent use, maintenance and protection by experts and workers should be shielded from all levels of environmental degradation. This would result to suitable soil climate for the production of adequate food and cash crops, sustained revenue generation from the agro-sales and promotion of holistic development of the region in accordance with standard environmental principles.

Keywords: Impact, Human Activities, Soils, Edo North, Nigeria