According to Ikem (2004), a number of factors are
responsible for the occurrence of soil erosion in an environment such factors could
be national or man induced.
responsible for the occurrence of soil erosion in an environment such factors could
be national or man induced.
The natural factors could be
i.
The nature of the soil for the
physical characteristic of the soil.
ii.
Topography of the environment i.e.
the relief in terms of the steepness of the soil.
iii.
The climate condition of the
environment in terms of hotness or coldness of the region
iv.
The vegetation characteristic and
their ability to cover in protect the top soil from the effects of erosion
agent
The human factors include:
i.
Agricultural practice that lead to
the removal of the soil cover thereby exposing the soil to erosion
ii.
Mining of minerals and construction
by roads, railways etc.
iii.
Lumbering activities and bush
burning
iv.
Grazing of animals and other
activities of man that will lead to the destruction of the vegetation cover
v.
Bush burning: This also exposes the soil
to erosion
vi.
Shifting cultivation: This speeds up
the rate of erosion when ridges are constructed along slope instead of across
slope.
vii.
Population pressure on land:
continuous cultivation of the land due to high population eventually exposes
the soil to erosion.
viii.
Exaction; This is the digging out of
soil for building construction for mining which later can cause soil erosion.
Exaction; This is the digging out of
soil for building construction for mining which later can cause soil erosion.
