Investigation of Gully Erosion Remediation Strategies Adopted in Eastern Nigeria

Gully erosion is a widespread environmental problem of Eastern Nigeria yawning for remediation strategies. However, previous studies on gully remediation strategies in the area have been carried out in a segmented manner both in the coverage of the region and the concept. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate all gully erosion remediation strategies adopted in the entire region. The region has nine most gully erosion-risk areas, one in each of her nine constituent states that were purposively sampled. A community alongside its large gully was conveniently sampled. A total number of 399 household heads living in close proximity to the gullies’ head-scraps within 0.3km (300m) radius was purposively sampled, out of which 370 correctly filled and returned the questionnaires. The research instruments were questionnaire, interview, observation and satellite imagery. Four levels of the Likert Scale were used in eliciting information from the respondents. Data was analyzed using the Wilks’ Lambda, a form of MANOVA. Results of the study indicated that prevention of activities influencing gully erosion was strongly rated as the best remediation option by the respondents (97%), whilst no permission of cultivation on steep slopes where gullies easily develop was strongly rated as the least option by the respondents (49%). Data analysis revealed that there was a significant variation in gully erosion remediation strategies across communities: Wilks’ Lambda = 0.434, F (168, 2576.48) = 1.804, p = 0.00 < 0.05. Hence, some communities preferred or used certain remediation strategies more than others. The study recommended, among others, as follows: (i) remediation strategies for gullies must be focused on understanding the preferred coping and remediation strategies adopted by the affected people who ought to be trained to improve on and maintain them with financial assistance; and (ii) environmental monitoring and reporting programme by the affected people be put in place at the local levels as a feedback mechanism on the remediation strategies.