WEEK4 TOPIC :NIGERIAN VEGETATION, FOREST AND FOREST USES

NIGERIA VEGETATIONNigeria is a large country with varying vegetation belts. The variations are found from North to South with the belts running from East to West. Climatic factors such as rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity account for these variations, other factors include topography and human activities on land. The type of agricultural activities to be engaged in a particular area depends on the environment.

NIGERIAN VEGETATION BELTSThere are two major types of vegetation in Nigeria. These are the ;1. Forest zones2. Savanna zonesFOREST ZONES : The forest vegetation is found in the southern

part of the country and comprises of : a. Mangrove forest b. Rain forestMANGROVE FOREST: It is found around swamps of the coastal

creeks, estuaries and lagoons of southern Nigeria- Trees found are : red and white mangroves ,palm and lianas

(climbing and twining plant)- Animals found are: fish, crocodiles, snakes and birds.

B. RAIN FOREST: This area is characterized with rainfall of about 1500mm-2000mm within 8-9 months of rainfall- Found around Ogun ,Oyo , Ondo, Delta, Anambra, Akwa Ibom-Trees found in this area are oil palm ,iroko, mahogamy, rubber, walnut,obeche.-Animals found in this area are, monkeys, antelopes, wart-hogs, snails,grasscutters e.t.c tSAVANNA ZONES: This covers as much as 80% of the country from the northern edge of the rain forest to the southern edge of the Sahara desert. The savanna zone is subdivided into : a. Derived savanna b. Guinea savanna c. Sudan savanna d. Sahel savanna (A) DERIVED SAVANNA : In this zone, farming activities have combined to degrade the original forest vegetation, leaving behind some fire-tolerant savanna species and a few forest trees. Animals found in the derived savanna include antelopes, giant rats, monkey e.t.c

(B) GUINEA SAVANNA : This is the largest vegetation belt in Nigeria: It covers the sparsely populated areas of the middle belts. This region is characterized by natural grassland, sparse woodland or trees. This region is dominated by tubers and grain crops. Animals found here include large animals like buffaloes, elephant, lions kept in game reserve, while smaller animals like giant rats , rabbits and wild cats etc. move about freely.

© SUDAN SAVANNA: This area is characterized by:i. sparsely distributed short trees, with short and seasonal grass coverii. Rainfall last only 2-3 months and relative humidity is low.iii. Long and more severe dry season or period than the guinea savannaiv. Feathery grasses and give a continuous land coverv. Common plant found is baobab and shea buttervi. Animals found are similar to those of the guinea savanna but fewer

in number due to lack of food(pasture)

(D) SAHEL SAVANNA: This is the most northern vegetation zone, found in the Eastern corners of Kano and Borno states. It is characterized with:

vii. Barely 500mm of rainfall annually with about 9-10 months of dry season.

viii.Very sparse vegetation ,with sparse thorny treesix. plants found varying from low growing shrubs in some part ,trees

varieties include raphia palm acacia and the major crops are millet and sorghum,while vegetables and sugar cane are grown along the river bed

Note: irrigation is widely practised in this area due to the inadequate water supply.

ASSIGNMENT1. State the two major vegetation zones in Nigeria2. Mention the savanna sub zones3. List 5 common animals and plants found in the rain forest zones.