Staff profile

PhD research

Gully-landslide interactions in Nigeria: an ecogeomorphological investigation

Gully erosion and landsliding are geomorphic processes that contribute to landscape evolution, yet, they become hazardous when they interact with human activities. Some landslide events occur as a result of extreme gullying (gully-induced landslides); in turn the irregular surfaces created by landslide scars encourage concentration of runoff, thus, increasing runoff erosivity and subsequent initiation of new gullies. This feedback between gully-induced landslides and landslide-induced gullies creates complex landforms that pose challenges to land management. My research aims to study the ecogeomorphological processes of gully-landslide interactions, to ascertain the controls of these processes and local and regional drivers, as well as the resultant hazards of these interactions. My conceptual framework shows known drivers of gully-landslide interactions and forms the basis for the present work.

The Orlu Senatorial Zone of Southeast Nigeria, a densely populated and extremely gullied region will be studied. I will use combinations of repeat satellite imageries available from the DigitalGlobe Foundation, high resolution DEM of the study sites over a 10 year interval, rainfall data available from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency for a 10 year period and direct field measurement. Using output from analyses of these data, I will quantify parameters such as rainfall, land-use/land cover and vegetation changes that relate to and produce different overviews of how ecogeomorphic factors influence gully-landslide interactions. Consequently, my study will be able to identify relevant processes and variables that control spatial dynamics of gully-landslide interactions in an ecogeomorphic system. Conclusions will be drawn to support my conceptual framework, and guide future work and research on gully evolution. This study will improve understanding of gully-landslide linkages and management of gullied environments.

Journal Article

• Osumgborogwu, Ikenna Emmanuel, Wainwright, John, Turnbull, Laura & Uzoigwe, Luke O. (2022). A multi‐method approach to analyse changes in gully characteristics between 2009 and 2018 in southeast Nigeria. Land Degradation & Development 33(9): 1398-1409.
• Njoku, John, Ukaegbu, Kingsley, Osumgborogwu, Ikenna, Udeh, Anayo & Telu, Mercy (2017). Correlate Mapping of Impervious Surfaces as Flood Risk Assessment Strategy in Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria. Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology 2(4): 1-11.
• Osumgborogwu, I. & Chibo, C. (2017). Environmental Laws in Nigeria and Occurrence of Some Geohazards: A Review. Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology 2(4): 1-12.
• Osumgborogwu, I. & Chibo, C. (2016). A Numerical Hazard Rating Method for Debris Slide Susceptibility Mapping in Turkana, Kenya. Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International 8(4): 1-14.
• Osumgborogwu, Ikenna (2016). Analysis of Access to Social Infrastructure in Rural Imo State, Nigeria. Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International 7(2): 1-7.