Impact of Gully Erosion on Landuse/Land Cover in Bida Town Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Gully erosion, the most impressive and striking erosion type, has been recognized as one of the major global environmental problems. It has threatened and even destroyed many of the urban infrastructures, properties and endangers human lives. This research work therefore, assessed the impacts of gully erosion on land cover and land use in Bida urban area. Data used in this study were derived from satellite imageries, Global positioning system (GPS). The study observed that forest/vegetation decreased by 41.9 percent during the study period indicating a change to other land uses and termination of construct drainage system half way (before getting to the natural drainage channel) identified as the main factors that triggered the formation of gully erosion in the study areas Dokodza and Darachita. Gully have been initiated by the both natural and anthropogenic factors such as rainfall intensity, soil and the slope characteristics and erected structures on the natural flow path way. Therefore, both natural and anthropogenic activities contributed to the development and expansion of this menace. Results from the interpretation of satellites imageries showed that gully variables (length and widths) have significantly increased. At Dokodza Gully claimed a total land area of 123.6m2 in 2005, 476.1m2 in 2010 and 1285.2m2 in 2015 and at Darachita Gully destroyed a total land area of 391.2m2 in 2015 and 2549.m2 in 2016. The length of Gully at Dokodza also increased from 182.6m in 2005 to 202.3m in 2010 and 219.5 in 2015 and for the Darachita, it increases from 32.1m in 2015 to 444.8m in 2016. Finally, this paper recommends structural and non-structural landscaping measures as good control and management techniques to check continuous gully erosion problems and its impacts, regular clearing or dislodge of drainages to enhance free flow of storm water and debris, diversion of runoff water to less or no risk areas, public awareness campaign to enlighten the inhabitants on the dangers and needs to control erosion.