Geospatial Analysis of Coastal Flooding Effect on Soil and Vegetation in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Soil salinity is believed to be mainly responsible for low land use as well as agricultural productivity in coastal regions of the world. The entire coastal area of Ondo State is affected by coastal flooding which causes saltwater to inundate the top and impregnates them with soluble salts, thereby rendering the soils and subsoils water saline. This study applied a Geo-information technique not only to identify and analyze floodable areas but also to access the salinity of soil and vegetation changes for a period of twenty-six years (26yrs). A random sampling method was used for soil samples. The data were integrated into a digitally Geo-referenced framework that enabled better understanding and knowledge of the problem. The result of the soil analysis shows elevated concentrations of the salt which exceeded the normal plant tolerant levels. The result of the salinity indicates that 63.34% of the study area is strongly affected by saline waters while 36.5% shows slight salinity. Soil salt levels in the coastal areas range from 8.0 to 48 ds/m. From 1986 to 2012 the vegetation index has dropped from + 1 to less than -1 which indicates that the health of the vegetation is seriously stressed and depreciating.