Respondent’s Perception on Anthropogenic Determinants of Gully Erosion in Upper Imo River Basin (UIRB), Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Gully erosion has been acknowledged as one of the global environmental issues that affect the region's economy. It is caused by man in his quest to make a living through different economic activities. This research was carried out to investigate the perception of the people in gully-prone areas on the anthropogenic determinants of gully erosion within a headwater. Various economic activities that trigger gully erosion were examined. The various stages and states of gully erosion within the headwater were also investigated, as well as institutions and agencies responsible for control of the environmental problem were also determined. A reconnaissance survey was carried out at the early stage of the research. Both primary and secondary data were also employed. Primary data was obtained through fieldwork and measurement and a structured questionnaire. Field measurement was used to obtain data on gully morphological parameters (length, width, depth, and area). 514 copies of a structured questionnaire obtained by 2% of the study area population were used to generate data on anthropogenic determinants of gully erosion in the study area. 18 gully erosion sites were systematically selected from 67 gully sites identified in the headwaters of the Imo River basin. Data analysis used both descriptive and inferential statistics like frequency tables, percentages, means, standard deviation and analysis of variance as well. The research finds that in the upper Imo Basin, farming activities, sand mining, and failed road construction are the three major anthropogenic determinants of gully erosion within the headwaters of the study area. Agriculture is the most common economic activity observed around the gully sites, while the most common farming system is mixed cropping. The research also found out that most gully sites in UIRB are within the age range of 11-15 years and 94.5% of the gullies are in an advanced stage of development. 92.5% of the gullies within the headwater are not in any form of control, most of the gullies that have any form of control on them were done by the affected communities. Therefore, there is a need for government as well as international agencies' intervention in gully erosion in the study area. Efforts should also be made to stop farming around the gully sites as it triggers its expansion.