Nigeria’s climate and vegetation

Subject: Geography Week 9

 Class: SS1

Topic:  Nigeria’s climate and vegetation 

Specific Objectives: By the end of this lesson the students should be able to;

1. Define climate
2. Describe the climatic variations in the country
3. Locate and explain the vegetation belts in Nigeria        

CLIMATE OF NIGERIA  

Climate is defined as the average weather conditions of a place over a long period of time say 35 years.

Types of climate in Nigeria

There are four climatic types in Nigeria. These are; Sub-equatorial climate (South), Tropical hinterland (Tropical wet), Tropical continental (Tropical dry), High plateau climates

1. Sub-equatorial climate:

1. It is found in the south, in places such as Warri, Lagos, Calabar, Portharcourt etc.
2. It has annual rainfall of over 2500mm per annum
3. It has a temperature of about 27⁰C
4. It has a high relative humidity of over 90%
5. It has long period of wet or rainy season between 6-8 months and 3-4 months of dry season.

2. Tropical hinterland (Wet Climate):

1. This climate is found in the forest areas like Ibadan, Ilorin, Akure, Oshogbo, Enugu, etc.
2. It has moderate rainfall of 2000-3000mm
3. It has 4-5 months of little rainfall i.e. the wet season is roughly 6-7 months of the year.
4. It has high temperature of over 27⁰C
5. It has an annual range of temperature of 6⁰C

3. Tropical Continental (Dry) Climate:

1. This is also called Sudan climate.
2. The climate is found in Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano, Bornu etc.
3. Rainfall is between 500-1000mm per annum.
4. It has a high range of temperature (11⁰C)
5. It has high temperature throughout the year (21⁰C – 33⁰C)
6. There is a long period of little or no rainfall (i.e. dry season of 4-8 months)

4. High Plateau Climate:

1. This climate is found around highland areas like Jos, Adamawa, Obudu, Mambilla Plateau.
2. It has heavy rainfall around Jos and its environs with 2000mm
3. It has moderate temperature between 21⁰C and 26⁰C
4. Temperature range is between 8⁰C – 12⁰C
5. It has a high relative humidity

VEGETATION OF NIGERIA

The vegetation of Nigeria can be grouped into three major zones. These are:

1. Forest Zone or vegetation: This forest zone or vegetation contains mainly trees and has the following forest belts.

1. Mangrove swamp forest (salt and fresh water swamp): this vegetation is found mainly in the delta and coastal areas like Port Harcourt, Warri, Uyo, and Calabar.

Characteristics

1. It has tall, woody trees (white and red mangrove)

ii. It has aerial roots

     iii. It has evergreen trees with broad leaves

     iv. Trees found include white mangrove, red mangrove and some raffia palms

2. Rain Forest: It is found in the southern part of Nigeria in Benin, Sapele, Akure, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Aba, etc.

Characteristics

(i). It has tall trees with buttress roots evergreen and broad leaves.

(ii). Trees exist in different heights, storeys or layers i.e. bottom, middle and upper layers

(iii). Presence of little undergrowth due to canopy of the forest

(iv). Presence of climbers, creepers, epiphytes and parasitic plants

(iv). It has numerous heterogeneous species of trees like Iroko, Obeche and Mahogany and African walnut

(v). Plant species are not in pure stand i.e. trees are scattered

2. Savanna Zone or Vegetation: This is made up of mainly grasses and is further sub-divided into three:

a. Guinea Savanna: This is found in Enugu, Lokoja, Ilorin, Makurdi, Oshogbo, etc.

    Characteristics

1. The largest of all vegetation belts in Nigeria
2. Has tall grasses
3. Has few scattered trees
4. Trees are oil palm, dum palm, shea butter, isoberlina, etc.
5. Trees are deciduous
6. Trees have thick bark
7. Trees have long tap roots
8. Some trees have umbrella shaped canopy
9. Grasses are green during raining season and turn brown in the dry season.

.b. Sudan Savanna: This vegetation belt is found in Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Dutse, Bauchi, etc.

Characteristics

1. It has short numerous grasses
2. Presence of scattered short deciduous trees
3. Plant species include acacia, date palm, silk cotton plants, baobab
4. Some trees have thorns while others have thick barks
5. Some trees wither in dry season and sprout at the beginning of rainy season

3. Sahel Savanna: This savannah is found in Maidugari and Damaturu

Characteristics

1. It has short scanty grasses
2. Presence of short and tough shrubs/trees
3. Grasses are fewer, poorer and in patches
4. It has many drought resistant and scattered plants
5. Popular plants include acacia, gum Arabia, date palm and baobab

3. Montane Vegetation: This is found in highland areas like Jos and Adamawa with trees and grasses.

      Characteristics

1. It is associated with highland areas
2. It has varied trees at its windward side
3. It has grasses at its leeward side
4. Presence of short, scattered and deciduous trees

Importance of Forest Vegetation to the Economic Growth of Nigeria

1. Provision of food: The forest vegetation provides both food and cash crops like yam, cassava, oil palm, rubber, cocoa, etc.
2. Provision of Timber: Forest provides economic trees (timber) like Iroko, Obeche, etc. for construction purposes
3. Foreign Exchange: Timber and cash crops exported to other countries do generate foreign exchange
4. Raw materials for industries: Iroko, Obeche, Cocoa, rubber, etc. are raw materials for industries
5. Tourism and wildlife: Forests are centres of tourism and at the same time the natural habitat of wild animals
6. Employment: Forest also provides jobs for hunters, lumbermen, forest guards etc.
7. Provision of fuel wood: Wood from the forest is used for making fire for cooking.

ASSIGNMENT

1. On a map of Nigeria, show the major vegetation zones in Nigria

2. On a map of Nigeria, show the locations of the major climatic types.