Effect of Vegetation and Organic Matter on Erodibility Status in Ukpom Abak River Catchment of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Vegetation is one of the factors that play a significant role in determining the rate of soil erodibility or susceptibility to erosion. The study is aimed at examining effect of vegetation and organic matter on erodibility status of soil in Ukpom Abak River Basin of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data were collected with used of systematic belt transects and the simple random sampling technique. Quadrats of 5m X 120m dimensions were established with twenty-four (24) quadrats of 5m by 5m. Thereafter 20 quadrats were randomly selected. Soil samples were collected from each stream order at a depth of 0-15cm and were analysed for soil physical and chemical properties. Pearson’s product correlation, stepwise multiple regression and ANOVA were the analytical tool employed for data analysis. The results revealed that soils in study area showed low K-factor. Vegetation result revealed that stems of herbaceous species enumerated (herbaceous cover) were high (66%), while the density of shrub was low (25%). In addition, density of herbs (r = -0.401, p>0.05) and herbaceous cover (r = -0.011, p>0.05) were inversely related to the K-factor of the River Basin, while density of shrub (r = 0.241, p>0.05) was positively related to K-factor. There was a positive correlation between organic matter and K-factor (r = 0.942, p<0.05). Based on the findings, the study discourage any form of illegal logging activities and deforestation, because vegetation added organic matter that bind soil aggregate, thus reduces erosion and soil loss.