Effect of Slope Positions on Properties of Soils of Some Forest Reserves in South - West Nigeria

Topography has an influence on soil erosion and consequently on the properties of soils. The effect of slope position on soil properties is of great importance in soil suitability assessment. This study assessed the effect of topographic position on the characteristics of soil of basement complex rocks derived soils under Teak (Tectona grandis) and Gmelina (Gmelina arborea) plantations in Osun sacred grove, Onigambari and Omo forest reserves situated within South-West Nigeria. Three soil profiles were dug in each landuse type, sited at the upper, middle and lower slope positions along a toposequence. Soil samples were collected accord- ing to their pedogenetic horizons and were analyzed using standard methods. Results showed variations in colour, depth of soil profile, soil structure, texture, drainage and soil consistence. The high sand content dominated the particle size fraction in all the soils formed from the three locations, and base saturation was rated very high with values >90% irrespective of the toposequence or slope posi- tion. The result of correlation analysis between slope position and content of N, P, K and CEC showed a significant relationship irrespective of locations with N(r = 0.019<0.05), P (r = 0.041<0.05), K(r = 0.033<0.05) and CEC(r =0.025< 0.05) respectively. Despite variation in soil properties as influenced by topography, the studied soils can sustain the current land use type. It was concluded that soils on different topographic positions should be managed differently