A Comparative Study of the Physical and Chemical Properties of Soils under Different Vegetation Types

Abstract

Soils under three different vegetation types- the forest, the savanna and swamp forest within the forest zone in the coastal area of Badagry were analysed and compared. Significant differences were found in the soils in respect of sand and silt particles, pH, organic carbon and organic matter. The soils are sandy, slightly acidic and generally poor in exchangeable bases.

The suggestion is made that the use of the soils for sustained cropping would require the judicious use of inorganic chemical fertilizers.

Keywords: Badagry, swamp forest, secondary forest, savanna, exchangeable bases