Assessing the Vulnerability of Soil Nutrient to Climatic Stressors in Adamawa State, Nigeria
BULUS SIMON *
World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Oilfield Chemicals Research (ACE-CEFOR), University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
LEO OSUJI
World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Oilfield Chemicals Research (ACE-CEFOR), University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Petroleum & Environmental Chemistry Research Group, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, East-West Road, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development (INRES), University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
ANDREW OBAFEMI
Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development (INRES), University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
OLANREWAJU LAWAL
Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa is increasingly affected by climatic stressors that accelerate nutrient loss and threaten farming sustainability. In Adamawa State, Nigeria, where many people depend on agriculture, rising temperatures, inconsistent rainfall, and frequent floods make soil degradation worse. This study assesses the vulnerability of soil nutrients to climate change impacts by using soil sampling, lab analysis, and long-term weather data. Composite soil samples were taken at two depths (0–30 cm and 30–60 cm). Rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity records from 2001 to 2021 were analyzed along with rainfall erosivity data and recorded flood events. The study adopted Pearson correlation and paired t-tests for its statistical analyses, the findings revealed significant negative correlations between rainfall and phosphorus (r = –0.68), potassium (r = –0.54), and organic matter (r = –0.63), particularly in surface soils. Flood events significantly reduced phosphorus (p < 0.001), potassium (p = 0.003), and microbial biomass carbon (p = 0.004). Rainfall erosivity exhibited marked interannual variability, peaking in 2008, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021. The study concludes that surface soils in Adamawa are highly vulnerable to climatic stressors and recommends the adoption of climate-smart soil management and erosion control strategies to enhance resilience and sustain agricultural productivity.
Keywords: Climate change, rainfall erosivity, soil nutrients, vulnerability