ASSESSMENT OF SOIL ERODIBILITY INDEX AT ENUGU STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AGBANI CAMPUS

Abstract

Soil erosion is one of the most pressing environmental challenges, contributing to land degradation, reduced agricultural productivity, and broader ecological imbalance. Understanding soil erodibility is central to predicting erosion risks and implementing sustainable soil conservation practices. Soil erodibility describes the intrinsic capacity of soil to resist detachment and transportation under erosive forces such as water and wind. It is primarily influenced by soil properties including texture, structure, organic matter content, and permeability. Soils with cohesive structures, such as clay-rich types, tend to have low erodibility, whereas silty and loose sandy soils are highly susceptible to erosion. This variability highlights the importance of evaluating the erodibility index of different soil types, as soils with higher indices are more prone to severe erosion under similar rainfall events compared to those with lower indices. Effective assessment of soil erodibility is therefore critical for guiding land use planning, agricultural management, and erosion control strategies. By integrating knowledge of soil characteristics and erosion dynamics, policymakers, researchers, and land managers can design targeted measures to mitigate soil loss, protect fertile land, and promote sustainable rural development. Ultimately, strengthening soil conservation practices through erodibility assessment not only safeguards agricultural productivity but also supports ecological stability and long-term societal well-being.