Efficiency test of adapted EGEM model in predicting ephemeral gully erosion around Mubi, Northeast Nigeria

Abstract

A field adaptation test of the Ephemeral Gully Erosion Model (EGEM) to predict ephemeral gully (EG) erosion was carried out in the 2008 and 2009 farming seasons in the Mubi area, NE Nigeria. Land use, conservation practices, and EG channel features were measured and/or noted at each site. Soil loss varied among the sites and seasons. The measured area, volume, and mass of soil loss were used to test the standard EGEMstd, and the adapted models׳ (EGEMAd and EGEMAl) prediction efficiencies. The result showed that EGEMstd could not predict the area of soil loss adequately. Both EGEMAd and EGEMAl were efficient and better adapted to predicting area, volume, and mass loss from EG erosion. The adapted models are therefore strongly recommended for implementation in the study area.

Keywords

• Ephemeral gully
• EGEM
• Soil loss
• Prediction
• Semi-arid Nigeria