Integrating Soil Morphology, Survey Data, and Classification for Effective Land Use Planning in Tropical Regions
Babatunde, C. A
*
Department of Soil Resources and Environmental Management, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
Oyeleke, O. R.
Department of Crop Production and Soil Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Aruleba, J. O.
Department of Soil Resources and Environmental Management, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Tropical soils are critical for supporting food production, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, but they face increasing threats from climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events exacerbate existing soil challenges, such as erosion, nutrient depletion, organic matter loss, and disrupted soil biodiversity. These changes significantly affect agricultural productivity, land use planning, and environmental conservation. To address these challenges, climate-smart soil management practices, including agroforestry, conservation tillage, organic amendments, and integrated water management, offer effective solutions to enhance soil resilience and productivity. Future research priorities include localized climate modeling, digital soil mapping, soil carbon monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and community-based solutions to support sustainable land use. Advancements in technology and multidisciplinary approaches are essential for understanding climate-soil interactions and developing adaptive strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of tropical soils.
Keywords: Tropical soils, climate change, soil management, biodiversity, sustainable land use