Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: An Investigation of the Role of Vegetation as a Determinant of the Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon
by Alani Rose, Odunuga Shakurideen, Muyiolu Kolawole, Nwude Davies, Ayejuyo, Olusegun, Akoh Friday and Ogbe Rachael

Abstract:
In Nigeria, natural forest areas are being converted for various land use. These land usage affect vegetation by reducing the organic matter and carbon content in the soil. Land use pattern has also had a significant impact on the quality of the soil in a typical environment and hence affects the structure and quality of the vegetation. Beyond taxonomic classification of soils, effort is rarely made to interpret the classification in terms of how soil constraints might affect sustainable production of crops, forage or vegetation and how this information can provide guidance on managing these constraints. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the vertical relationship and distribution between soil organic carbon (SOC) and vegetation in various locations in Ikorodu, Etiosa Ikeja, and Isolo local government areas of Lagos state. Three soil levels being considered in this study were the top soil (0-10cm), mid soil (11-20cm) and bottom soil (21-30cm). Organic matter contents were also tested at the three levels and it was observed that the level of organic matter was highest in areas with much shrubs, grasses and trees. The carbon content was found to increase with increasing organic matter. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to evaluate whether vertical distributions of SOC and vegetation differ significantly between the three levels of soil. The result showed that the soil moisture, carbon and the organic matter content of the bottom soil level were found statistically to be significantly higher than that of the top soil and mid soil. The bottom soil also had the highest SOC content with a total mean of 0.329400 followed by the middle soil with mean SOC of 0.308411 while the least mean SOC was found in the top soil with a mean value of 0.3045037. The study concluded that there is a reasonable level of relationship between vegetation and soil organic carbon. The findings in this research will form a guide on the best soil and crop management practices to be adopted.

Keywords: vegetation, soil, organic matter, soil organic carbon, vertical distribution, land use.

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