Abstract

This paper examines the response of soils in degraded land to reforestation in Ilorin region. A total of 16 soil samples were systematically collected from two quadrats of 25 × 25 m in each of reforested and deforested sites respectively. Standard laboratory techniques were used to test 8 soil fertility indices on each of the landscapes. Coefficient of variation was used to establish variability or otherwise within the data set. Student’s ‘t’ test was used to determine the significance of difference of the sample means of forested and deforested soil parameters. The result of the laboratory test revealed that vegetation cover affects the soil properties. Generally, the physical properties of the soil in this area are homogenous but variations exist in the chemical properties which fundamentally determine soil fertility. At the end, the conclusion was that fertility status of the soil increased under forest cover. It is therefore important for the government to provide adequate awareness and educate the people on reforestation of degraded land and land use and soil properties because they tend to affect each other. Government at local, state and federal levels should intensify effort on afforestation projects and replacement of trees when cut. Forest funding for afforestation has to shift from public to private to enhance community participation and their mobilization for forest conservation and sustainable forest resources and environmental development.

Key words: Deforestation, afforestation, trees, soil fertility status, soil properties.