Evaluation of Plant Roots Proliferation and Vegetation Characteristics on the Gully Horizon of Some Selected Erosion Sites in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The development of vegetative in the gully erosion sites has been proved to be dependent on the type of soil found in the erosion site. The growth of vegetation along the gully horizon is determined by the depth the roots of these plant species will grow down the horizon. This study aimed at determining the plant root proliferation along the gully horizon of three different locations of gully erosion sites, which include the urban, semi-urban and rural areas. This study was carried out in three selected gully erosion sites in Imo State, South East, Nigeria from 15th January 2021 to 31st March 2021. Random sampling technique was used in determining the vegetation characteristics of the gully profile with quadrat. Knife was also used in cutting and counting the roots, while tapes, pegs and compass were used in the location mapping. The rural gully erosion location has more vegetation and roots proliferation on the gully profile (L1) than the semi-urban (L2) and urban locations (L3), respectively. Urbanization and other destructive man activities reduce the species diversity of many plant communities. This is seen in the number of roots and vegetation seen growing on the gully horizon which is higher in the rural than the Urban areas of these locations. Therefore, some species seen thriving at these erosion sites, such as Oxythenantera abyssinica and other species from this study, should be used a means to control erosion and reclamation of soil in these areas.