Effect of Land Use Types on Soil Properties in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of land use types on soil characteristics in Benin City, Nigeria. In both the rainy and dry seasons, soil samples were taken from a farmland at the University of Benin in Nigeria at depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm, respectively. The physicochemical parameters investigated include pH, EC, carbon content, nitrogen, organic matter, phosphorus, aluminum, and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), as well as Ca, Mg, K, and Na. When comparing seasonal differences in pH, phosphorus, aluminum, and CEC levels, significant differences were revealed at ρ < 0.05, d = 0.0001 for pH, ρ < 0.05, d = 0.0001 for phosphorus, ρ < 0.05, d = 0.0002 for aluminum, and ρ < 0.05, d = 0.019 for CEC, respectively. Conversely, the seasonal differences in EC, carbon content, nitrogen, and organic matter were not significant at ρ < 0.05, d = 0.46 for EC, ρ < 0.05, d = 0.30 for carbon content, ρ < 0.05, d = 0.46 for nitrogen, and ρ < 0.05, d = 0.31 for organic matter, respectively. The investigated soil physico-chemical properties did not vary significantly according to land use types at ρ and d values. This study showed that, in general, soil characteristics were highly influenced by different land uses and hence emphasizes the need to monitor urban land use activities.