Pedosphere 36(1): 278--301, 2026
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2026 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Advanced soil conservation for African drylands: From erosion models to management theories |
Suleiman USMAN |
| Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University Dutse, Dutse 7156 (Nigeria) |
| Corresponding Author:Suleiman USMAN |
| ABSTRACT |
| African drylands occupied 19.6 million km2 (46% of the total global area) and 525 million people. Soil erosion models are useful for assessing the impact of soil erosion in the dryland areas. This review provides an assessment of soil erosion/deposition models and soil conservation practices, which are supportive for mitigating the impact of soil erosion and maintaining soil health and soil functional services for food security in African drylands. The theories of soil erosion models and soil conservation practices provide advanced ways to understand the detailed impact of soil erosion and management solutions. The paper reviews a set of useful soil erosion models and traditional conservation practices, which can control soil erosion and enhance dryland farming systems in Africa. Soil erosion models are classified into three categories: empirical, conceptual, and physical. Soil conservation practices include reduced tillage, advanced cover crops, mechanical structures (barriers made of stones/gravel/vegetation), advanced mechanical roller-crimper technique, mixed cropping, intercropping, crop rotation systems, terracing techniques, and land modification techniques. These conservation practices are effective in controlling soil erosion, reducing soil damage, improving soil health and quality, enhancing soil fertility, and ensuring food security. The existing assessment suggests that understanding the theories of soil erosion models and soil conservation practices is a first step towards addressing soil erosion problems in African drylands. |
| Key Words: conservation challenges|conservation practices|crop rotation|intercropping|mixed cropping|reduced tillage|soil erosion|Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model |
| Citation: Usman S. 2026. Advanced soil conservation for African drylands: From erosion models to management theories. Pedosphere. 36(1): 278-301. |
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