Variability of soil properties related to vegetation cover in a tropical rainforest landscape

Abstract

The variability of soil properties related to vegetation cover in Nnewi, a fast growing urban-industrial town, was studied
to underscore the factors that predispose the soil to erosion menace. Twelve soil samples were purposively collected
and analyzed to determine the soil properties. The results of soil properties analysis showed marked coefficient of
variability ranging from low, moderate, high and very high variability for the physical, chemical and biological
properties of the soil. This is as a result of poor vegetation cover associated with land use pattern. Positive and
negative correlation coefficients were established within and between soil properties and vegetation cover. Principal
components analysis identified soil organic matter content, soil moisture content, sand content of the soil, soil microorganisms
and cation exchange capacity as the main soil properties that explain 91.2% of the impact of vegetation
cover on variability of soil properties. It is therefore advised that strict adherence to land use plans be enforced to
reverse the trend towards unstable soil properties and high susceptibility of the soil to erosion menace in Nnewi.