Influence of Vegetation Characteristics on Nutrient Loss in the Rainforest Belt of Agoi- Ekpo, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated the influence of vegetation characteristics on nutrient loss in vegetation fallows in a part of the rainforest belt in Agoi-Ekpo, Cross River State. Participatory method was used to identify fallows of 3-year and abandoned farmland. In each identified fallow category, 10 plots for vegetation estimation was established, while two runoff plots of 10m x 4m was constructed and used for nutrient loss estimation. Data was gathered during the cropping season of March to November, 2012. Results showed that on the 3-year fallow only basal cover was retained by the model and significantly explained Ca loss (R 2 = 0.627, F = 3.655, p<0.01), Mg loss (R 2 = 0.57.2, F = 3.271, p<0.05) and potassium loss (R 2 =0.527, F = 2.980, p<0.05). On the abandoned farmland, the model retained only crown cover and it significantly explained OC loss (R 2 = 0.591, F = 3.402, p<0.01), TN (R 2 = 0.599, F = 3.456, p<0.01), Ca (R 2 = 0.674, F = 4.067, p<0.01), Mg (R 2 = 0.796, F = 5.75, p<0.01) and K (R 2 = 0.823, F = 6.090, p<0.01). The study showed that more nutrient element losses were recorded in the abandoned farmland. The study suggests that trees and shrubs should not be completely cut down on farmlands facilitate rapid vegetation restoration during land abandonment.

Green Innovation, Carbon Storage and Perceived environmental quality in Lagos State University, Nigeria

“…This is because a unit increase in tree size will result in 34.7% increase in the amount of carbon sequestered or stored. This result agrees with the findings of Lal [27] and Baul et al [58] that found tree size to have significant influence on the carbon stock. Also, Gorte [42] stated that tree size is a vital tree parameter that contributes to carbon sequestration.…”

“…Arzai and Aliyu [24] and Nowak et al [25] stated that tree height is a significant tree component that determines the total amount of light that the tree intercepts for photosynthesis. Iwara [26] alleged that tree height helps in soil erosion control by reducing the erosive power of raindrop, while Lal [27] noted that it plays a significant role in carbon sequestration. The height of trees measured in this study can help in soil erosion control and carbon sequestration among other ecological functions.…”

Variation in runoff and sediment loss in fallow and abandoned farmland in Agoi- Ekpo, Cross River State, Nigeria

“…Rainfall and land cover are known to influence soil erosion and associated losses (Daura, 1995;Vásquez-Méndez et al, 2010;Iwara et al, 2018). In this study, the effect of vegetation components in influencing erosional losses on fallow land is assessed.…”

“…In this study, the effect of vegetation components in influencing erosional losses on fallow land is assessed. Vegetation composition and structure in different successional stages carry out essential roles in shielding the soil from the direct impact of rainwater, regulate soil erosion processes, suppress the movement of surface runoff and allow rainwater to infiltrate the soil (Iwara, 2018;Vasquez and Sheley, 2018). It also performs a vital function of enhancing and maintaining soil nutrients thereby preserving soil structure.…”

Effect of Tillage Direction on Phosphorus Loss from Sediment Yield and Surface Runoff

“…The phosphorus concentration was measured with a spectrophotometer (752 UV-Visible). The following formulae were used to calculate the phosphorus lost in sediment yield and runoff, as indicated between Equation 5and 6 (Iwara et al, 2018):…”