Effects of land use change on soil physicochemical properties in selected areas in the North West region of Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Land use changes from natural ecosystems into managed ecosystems may have deleterious effects on soil structure and quality. This study characterise the soils under, and assesses the effects of different land use systems on selected soil physicochemical properties in the North West region of Cameroon. Six land use systems including: natural forest, natural savanna, grazing land, afforested land, farmland and Eucalyptus plantation were identified. Ninety soil samples were collected from each at the 0–15 cm depth. Fifteen soil physicochemical properties were measured. Results: The conversion of natural forest or savanna to farmland reduces the silt contents, moisture content, organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, pH, cation exchange capacity and exchangeable bases, but increases bulk density, electrical conductivity, exchangeable acidity and sand content significantly (P < 0.05). The results revealed that deforestation and subsequent cultivation of soil had negative effects on the measured soil properties. Conclusions: Land use change has ruined soil quality in the North West region. To reverse soil degradation and promote restoration, emphases should be placed on promoting the use of sustainable land management practices within the savanna, grazing, agricultural and forest management systems.