Seasonal Variations of Infiltration Rates of Forest Land Cover in Utisols Soils of Abini, Biase, Cross River State of Nigeria

Abstract

This article provides insight into the seasonal variation of infiltration rates of utisol soils, under forest cover in Abini, Biase, Cross River State of Nigeria. The annual and seasonal amount of precipitation upon a place, and the soils capacity to absorb same, affects the degree and extent of the occurrence of ecological events, such as overland flow, runoff, erosion, flooding and landslide, quite inimical to land productivity. Thus the study investigated the response of forest soils to precipitation intake at different seasons, which is pertinent to landuse planning in both construction and agricultural industries. Data from the study were generated through field measurements of the infiltration rates of soils using a cylinder (flooding) inflitrometer designed by Hills [1] in two seasons of rainy (September-October) and dry (December-January) respectively, in rural watershed. The result showed seasonal changes in the equilibrium rates of infiltration form 9.6cm/hrt (rainy season) to 8.4 cm/hrt (dry season). This was indeed a hypothetical contrast from the expected ideal situation among infiltration experts, that infiltration values are supposed to soar in dry season than rainy season in the tropics. The factors of soil pore compaction and decline in the rates of biological activities accounted for this. Soil compaction reduces the rate of soil water loss through evaporation, enhances ground water conservation and stabilizes the soil structure for diverse benefits to man. Afforestation programme is hereby recommended to sustain the regional land ecosystem.