COMPARATIVE GEOTECHNICAL STUDY OF SOILS IN FOREST, FARMLAND, AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF OWUKPA–OKABA, NIGERIA

This study examines the influence of land use on the geotechnical properties of soils in Owukpa – Okaba, located within the Lower Coal Measure (Mamu Formation) of the Idah-Ankpa Plateau, Anambra Basin, Nigeria. Soils under forested, cultivated, and residential land uses were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) post-hoc test to assess significant variations. The analysis revealed significant variations in dry bulk density and porosity across different land uses (ANOVA F-values: 12.03 and 4.32, respectively, exceeding the significance threshold of F = 3.84 at α = 0.05). Forested soils exhibited the lowest bulk density and highest porosity, indicating superior structural stability, while residential soils had the highest bulk density and lowest porosity. Boxplot analysis confirmed these trends. These results underscores how land us influences soil structural integrity, with critical implications for geotechnical engineering, sustainable land management, and environmental planning. The study underscores the need for targeted strategies to mitigate soil degradation associated with land use changes.