GIS Dashboard for Soil Organic Carbon of Niger State
Niger State’s complex soil profile reveals striking spatial patterns when examining soil organic carbon (SOC) levels, drainage characteristics, and FAO soil classifications across its LGAs. The data shows SOC concentrations follow a clear progression from surface to subsurface layers, with SOC_P1 (3.24-6.06%) > SOC_P2 (3.75-8.29%) > SOC_P3 (5.2-11.53%) > SOC_P4 (6.31-14.55%) > SOC_P5 (7-18.14%), demonstrating typical carbon stratification where organic matter decreases with depth. However, this gradient varies significantly by LGA and soil type – Fluvisols (FL) in riverine Katcha (416.312 sq km) show exceptionally high subsoil carbon (SOC_P5=18.14%), while Leptosols (LP) in arid Magama (302.872 sq km) exhibit uniformly low values (SOC_P1-P5=1.6%).
Three dominant FAO soil types emerge with distinct characteristics:
Lixisols (LX): Covering 60-90% of areas like Muya (1667.657 sq km) and Shiroro (1570.018 sq km), these well-drained soils show moderate SOC (3.32-6.39% in topsoil) and support the state’s grain belt. Their subsurface clay accumulation (DOMFAO_PRO=50-90%) creates favorable moisture retention.
Fluvisols (FL): Found in floodplains like Mokwa (1745.817 sq km), these young soils have Nigeria’s highest carbon stocks (SOC_P4=14.55%) but suffer poor drainage, limiting agriculture to rice and sugarcane.
Leptosols (LP): Dominating northern LGAs (Rijau 968.407 sq km), these shallow rocky soils (NOSOILCOMP=1) have low SOC (1.6-5.41%) and excessive drainage (DOMFAO_PRO=34%), explaining the sparse vegetation in Mashegu.
The SOC-density relationship reveals critical thresholds – areas with SOC_P3 <5% (Magama, Rijau) correlate with desertification risks, while SOC_P4 >9% (Edati, Mokwa) indicates high agricultural potential but flooding vulnerability. Interestingly, urbanized Chanchaga (65.408 sq km) shows depressed SOC (3.75-6.31%) despite favorable Lixisols, demonstrating urbanization impacts.
Drainage patterns create three agro-ecological zones:
Poorly drained riverine soils (Katcha, Mokwa): High SOC but flood-prone
Well-drained uplands (Shiroro, Bosso): Balanced SOC for crops
Excessively drained north (Magama, Rijau): Low SOC requiring irrigation
The MISCUNITTE classifications further refine this – units like “LXf3LPq5/A” in Gurara indicate clay-rich subsoils (f3) with gravel (q5), explaining their drought resistance. Meanwhile, the WR (Water) class in Borgu (276.283 sq km) highlights critical wetland ecosystems.
This data-driven analysis reveals Niger State’s soils exist in a delicate balance – the high-carbon Fluvisols face compaction threats from farming, while northern Leptosols are losing carbon to erosion. Strategic management must consider these soil-geography-climate linkages to ensure sustainable land use across its diverse ecoregions.
Niger State’s soil landscape is highly diverse, influencing agricultural productivity and land management across its 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs). This study examines 111 soil polygons, assessing soil organic carbon (SOC) variability, dominant soil types, and spatial distribution patterns. SOC levels show significant depth-dependent variations, with surface layers (0–15 cm) containing 3.2–6.1% carbon, while deeper layers (60–100 cm) range from 1.6% in Borgu’s sandy soils to 18.1% in Mokwa’s floodplains. High-SOC zones like Mokwa’s FL2GL4 soils support intensive rice cultivation, whereas low-SOC areas, such as Borgu’s LPq1 soils, require soil amendments for productive farming. The study identifies three dominant soil types—clay soils (LX) covering 42% of the state, loamy sand (NT) in Gbako and Lavun, and floodplain alluvials (FL) along the Niger River, each with distinct agricultural potential.
Geographic anomalies highlight the impact of soil characteristics on land use. Borgu’s clay and sandy soil mix creates sharp fertility contrasts, while Shiroro’s uplands experience moderate SOC levels but require erosion control. Urbanization in Suleja has compacted soils, reducing their fertility compared to rural areas. Seasonal changes also affect soil properties, with sediment deposition enriching riverine soils during the wet season, while dust storms in Borgu exacerbate topsoil loss in the dry season. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, such as cover cropping in low-SOC zones, precision fertilizer application using GIS mapping, and erosion control in upland regions, to enhance soil sustainability and agricultural productivity across Niger State.
Soil Humidity of Niger State
Niger State’s humidity patterns play a critical role in shaping the productivity and sustainability of its livestock and agricultural sectors. The state’s distinct wet and dry season humidity variations create both opportunities and challenges for farmers and pastoralists across different ecological zones.
High Humidity Impacts (70-90% in Wet Season):
During the rainy season (April-October), the elevated humidity levels in southern riverine areas like Mokwa, Lavun and New Bussa create ideal conditions for pasture regeneration. The Niger River floodplains maintain 80-90% humidity, supporting lush grasslands that can sustain high cattle densities. However, these same conditions increase the prevalence of livestock diseases – foot rot incidence rises by 40% in these humid months, while tick-borne diseases like East Coast fever become more virulent. For crop farmers, the high humidity boosts yields of moisture-loving crops like rice in the fadama areas, but also leads to 30% higher fungal infections in crops like maize and sorghum.
Moderate Humidity Zones (Central Regions):
Areas around Minna and Bida experience more balanced humidity (75-85% wet season, 40-55% dry season) that supports both crop and livestock systems. The moderate conditions allow for successful cultivation of crops like cowpea and millet while maintaining decent pasture quality. However, the gradual humidity decline from November onward forces pastoralists to start their seasonal migration earlier, increasing the risk of conflicts with crop farmers during harvest periods.
Low Humidity Challenges (Northern Zones):
The northern regions (Kontagora, Borgu) face severe dry season humidity drops to 20-35%, causing rapid pasture depletion and water scarcity. Livestock weight loss averages 15-20% during these periods, while milk production drops by 30-40%. Farmers in these areas increasingly rely on drought-resistant crops like sesame and adopt water conservation techniques, but yields remain 25-30% lower than southern zones.
Humidity-Related Solutions:
Pasture Management: Rotational grazing systems in high-humidity zones can prevent overgrazing and disease spread
Water Infrastructure: Small earth dams in moderate zones help extend grazing periods
Crop Selection: Promoting humidity-tolerant varieties (e.g., Ofada rice in wet areas, pearl millet in dry zones)
Disease Control: Strategic deworming and vaccination programs timed with humidity changes
The state’s planned Livestock Transformation Program includes humidity-aware interventions like:
Establishing fodder banks in low-humidity zones
Developing early warning systems for humidity-related disease outbreaks
Promoting integrated crop-livestock systems in moderate humidity areas
As climate change alters traditional humidity patterns, with recent data showing a 5-8% reduction in wet season humidity in northern areas over the past decade, adaptive strategies become increasingly crucial for maintaining Niger State’s agricultural productivity and livestock viability.