A Suitable Landscape Design for Areas Affected by Gully Erosion in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Gullies are a highly visible form of soil erosion, with steep-sided, incised, drainage lines greater than 30 cm deep. Gully erosion is both a natural and a human-induced process. Landscape design is one of the techniques used in combating this problem. The study is aimed at resuscitating the degraded landscape of areas/ community affected by gully erosion, mining activities, overgrazing, and improper farming over the past years resulting to land unproductively, to satisfy recreational needs, job creation, and participation of community members in programs that support environmental sustainability. It focuses on Tudun Wadaslums settlement located in Jos; the capital of Plateau State situated in the North-Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The methodology employed for this study is physical site survey, case study and literature search. The study concludes with land reclamation strategies through landscape design, fencing off a gully system to encourage revegetation and natural recovery, bed stabilization structures and working closely with slum dwellers, allied professionals, and the government to ensure a sustainable development is achieved.