Asian Soil Research Journal 4(3): 8-27, 2020; Article no.ASRJ.62665 ISSN: 2582-3973 Pedogenic and Contemporary Issues of Fluvisol Characterization and Utilisation in the Wetlands of Bamenda Municipality, Cameroon Godswill Azinwie Asongwe1,2*, Bernard P. K. Yerima3, Aaron Suh Tening4 and Irene Bongsiysi Bame5 1Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, Cameroon. 2Department of Development Studies, Pan African Institute for Development – West Africa (PAID-WA) Buea, P.O. Box 133, Buea, Cameroon. 3Department of Soil Science, University of Dschang, P.O Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon. 4Department of Agronomic and Applied Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon. 5Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Bambui, Cameroon. Authors’ contributions This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. Author GAA designed and carried out the study, performed the statistical analysis, wrote the protocol, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Authors BPKY and AST validated the study. Author IBB managed the analyses of the study. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/ASRJ/2020/v4i330093 Editor(s): (1) Dr. Salem Aboglila, Azzaytuna University, Libya. Reviewers: (1) Nikoletta Edit Nagy, University of Debrecen, Hungary. (2) Jesús Rodrigo-Comino, Trier University, Germany, University of Valencia, Spain. (3) José Leonardo Ledea Rodríguez, Northwest Biological Research Center, Mexico. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/62665 Received 12 September 2020 Original Research Article Accepted 18 November 2020 Published 09 December 2020 ABSTRACT Fluvisols in urban wetlands in Bamenda Municipality Cameroon play a vital role in vegetable production but they are under immense pressure. Seven representative soil profiles and 21 surface soil samples were morphologically and/or physico-chemically characterized to classify the soils, evaluate their agro-utilization constraints, and to provide adequate data for planning sustainable land management. The soil samples were analyzed using standard procedures. Critical levels _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]; Asongwe et al.; ASRJ, 4(3): 8-27, 2020; Article no.ASRJ.62665 established for tropical crops and vegetables were used to declare deficiency of soil nutrients. The coefficient of variation were used as an index of soil variability, while sources of soil variation and subsequent grouping into management units were identified using principal component analysis. The soils, classified as Humi-umbric fluvisols are developed from young alluvio-colluvial material of granitic origin. Like other physico-chemical properties, organic matter varied irregularly down the profile. Except of pH which was slightly (CV<15%) variable, most soil properties were moderately (CV=15-35%) to highly (CV>35%) variable. Some correlation coefficients between the soil parameters were highly significant (p<0.01) ranging - 0.95 to 0.99, but most of them have correlation values less than 0.5. Six principal components (PCs) grouping soils in management units explained 96.2% of the variations observed in the soil properties. The PCs were: base status, organic matter, weathering and moisture retention, acidity, dispersal and N-mineralization, and mineral neo- synthesis factors. We recommend that a detailed mapping of soil properties be carried out for the establishment of a soil fertility map; and individual soil management practices defined for identified units instead of a common management for all units in the municipality. Keywords: Fluvisols; soil classification; soil characteristics; soil utilization; soil management. 1. INTRODUCTION In fluvisols, soil forming processes, other than the formation of a surface horizon through The World Reference Base for Soil Resources accumulation of organic matter, have not left (WRB) has 32 soil groups [1], some of which their marks [7,1]. These juvenile soils show few occur in West and Central Africa. Deckers [2], or no evidence of weathering and soil formation and Bationo et al. [3] outlined the typical below 25 cm depth except possible gleying. distribution in terms of agroecology. Fluvisols, an Permanent or seasonal saturation with water, important soil group, and found in wetlands because of permanent or recurrent anaerobic covers an estimated area of over 350 million conditions and low biological activity, tends to hectares worldwide [1]. In Cameroon, they preserve the original stratified nature of the occupy 2.6% of the total land area [4]. Found on original deposits. But with time, when the effects all continents under all kinds of climatic of pedogenetic agents such as soil animals, conditions they occur mainly on flood plains, fans roots, repeated wetting and drying proceed and deltas of rivers [5]. In the upper part of the downward in the profile, a cambic horizon may drainage basin, they are normally confined to be formed. This implies the transformation of the narrow strips along the river. The fluvisols of Fluvisol into a Cambisol or Gleysol, depending floodplain wetlands are characterized by on the drainage conditions. Flooding of some seasonal hydrological dynamics, which strongly parts of the wetlands with fresh water will change influence vegetation stand [6]. The later equally the geochemistry of the soils as the basis for noted that in the last century, a hydrological flora and fauna. system of seasonal flooding of flood plains had To date, the nutrients contents of the flooded and been influenced intensively by man in the form of non-flooded areas differ considerably. Many riversides regulation, and utilisation of parts of types of plants are grown on Fluvisols today or the floodplain wetlands for agricultural purposes are under grassland utilization. They are usually thus drying up wetland areas and soils. Most fertile but may need flood control. Many Fluvisols importantly, these soils perform an ecological in the humid tropics, Cameroon inclusive, are function of accumulating and fixing airborne and under vegetable production, especially during a fluvially transported nutrients and contaminants. dry period where microbial activity is stimulated Since soils are good contamination indicators of which promotes mineralization of organic matter floodplain ecosystems, they have been the object and hence release of plant nutrients. Other of research on the soil characteristics and factors that influence the potential productivity of dynamics. The mobilization of organic and wetland soils are their micro-topography, minimal inorganic contaminants, results in considerable soil erosion, natural fertility, and location in damages of sensitive soil edaphic factors and the climatic regions of adequate rainfall for most vegetation as well as migration of contaminants crops. into the water saturated zone [6]. Increases in the soil acidity will fasten these migration Fertility levels have a direct bearing on the processes. potential for development of wetland soils, 9 Asongwe et al.; ASRJ, 4(3): 8-27, 2020; Article no.ASRJ.62665 especially in urban areas [8]. A vast majority of ranging from 1200 to 1400 m, with many flat wetland benefits accrue to the local population areas that are usually inundated for most parts of which makes it important to conserve these the year, and an elevated part at 1400 to 1700 m valuable natural resources. Nowadays, their altitude that forms the crest from which creeks exploitation particularly for economical purpose is and streams supplying the low lying parts take alarming [9,10]. The urban wetlands of Bamenda their rise. This area has two seasons; a long Municipality, which is part of the Western rainy season, which runs from mid-March to mid- Highlands of Cameroon and the focus of this October and a dry season that spans from mid- study, are coming under increased pressure for October to mid-March. The area lies within the the production of food to meet the needs of the thermic and hyperthemic temperature regimes. increasing population. Mean annual temperatures stand at 19.9°C. January and February are the hottest months The municipality and the wetlands are with mean monthly temperatures of 29.1°C and characterized by a heavy demographic, 29.7°C, respectively. Yerima and Van Ranst [7] technogenic and municipal load. The problem reported that the area is dominated by the Ustic with the wastewaters and solid wastes acquires and Udic moisture regimes with the Udic increasing importance. Here, these wetlands extending to the south. Annual rainfall ranges ecological niches have been drained for from 1300-3000 mm [13]. The area has a rich vegetable cultivation. These valuable areas are hydrographical network with intense human not only exploited for market gardening involved activities and a dense population along with in the cultivation of vegetables, carrots, different water courses in the watershed. The tomatoes, green beans, Irish potatoes but also main human activity in and around this area is for the planting of eucalyptus which help to drain agriculture, which according to GP-DERUDEP the water in these wetlands [9,10]. The result is [14] involves over 70% of the population and that at the present rate of exploitation the survival make use of rudimentary tools. The area equally of this resource is at stake.