Review of Gully Erosion Control Measures in Nigeria

AJAYI A. S.1 AND EHIOMOGUE P.2
1Department of Agricultural Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria.
2Department of Agricultural and Bio-resources Engineering,
Michael Okpara University of Umudike, Nigeria.
E-mail: ajayistan@gmail.com,
Abstract
Gully erosion is one of the major causes of land degradation in Nigeria.
Many of the gullies have developed as a result of inappropriate land use; poor termination of drainage outlet, inadequate storm drainage facilities, the geology and nature of soils underlying the areas, and anthropogenic influence (human activities). This paper is a review of the causative factors, development status and the effectiveness of the corrective measures. The study revealed that the initiation and development of erosion gullies is facilitated by natural processes and the activities of man, especially road construction, excavation, drainage structures, farming, animal grazing, etc. The corrective measures (Vegetative, runoff diversion, construction of temporal and permanent
structures), have various degrees of successes, taking into cognizance their ability to curb the erosion process, compatibility with the environment or farming practice and initial cost. A combination of two or more of the methods was found to also give great results in some areas, ultimately the combination of vegetative and construction of temporary structures like brush wood dams and sand bags have been found to be the best practice for a developing country like Nigeria