Local (Nigerian) Biomes | Jamb Biology

Tropical Rainforest in Nigeria

Features

1. Found in southern Nigeria, especially in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and parts of Edo and Ondo States.
2. Climate: High rainfall (over 2000 mm annually) and high humidity.
3. Vegetation: Dense, multi-layered canopy of trees, including mahogany, iroko, and ebony.
4. Soil: Fertile but prone to leaching due to heavy rainfall.
5. Biodiversity: High species diversity, including monkeys, snakes, and birds.
6. Human Activities: Farming, logging, and bush burning impact the ecosystem.
7. Economic Importance: Timber, cocoa, rubber, and oil palm cultivation.
8. Temperature: Consistently warm (25–30°C).
9. Adaptations: Trees have buttress roots and drip tips to manage water runoff.
10. Location: Cross River National Park and Okomu National Park.
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Guinea Savanna (Southern and Northern)

Features

11. Found in central Nigeria, including parts of Kwara, Niger, and Benue States.
12. Climate: Moderate rainfall (1000–1500 mm annually).
13. Vegetation: Open grasslands interspersed with trees like baobabs and locust beans.
14. Soil: Rich but prone to seasonal erosion.
15. Wildlife: Antelopes, elephants, and diverse bird species.
16. Economic Activities: Agriculture (yam, maize, sorghum), grazing, and hunting.
17. Temperature: 20–30°C with distinct wet and dry seasons.
18. Southern Guinea Savanna: Denser vegetation with more trees.
19. Northern Guinea Savanna: More open grasslands with scattered trees.
20. Location: Kainji National Park and Yankari Game Reserve.
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Sudan Savanna

Features

21. Found in northern Nigeria, including parts of Sokoto, Kano, and Katsina States.
22. Climate: Semi-arid with annual rainfall of 500–1000 mm.
23. Vegetation: Grasses and thorny shrubs dominate the landscape.
24. Soil: Less fertile, sandy, and prone to desertification.
25. Wildlife: Includes camels, jackals, and guinea fowl.
26. Economic Activities: Subsistence farming (millet, sorghum), livestock rearing, and trading.
27. Adaptations: Plants have deep roots and thick bark to conserve water.
28. Temperature: Hot and dry (25–40°C).
29. Seasonality: Short wet season and a prolonged dry season.
30. Location: Areas around Maiduguri and Sokoto.
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Desert

Features

31. Found in northeastern Nigeria near the border with Niger and Chad.
32. Climate: Extremely low rainfall (less than 500 mm annually).
33. Vegetation: Sparse, consisting of hardy shrubs and desert grasses.
34. Soil: Sandy and infertile.
35. Wildlife: Camels, scorpions, and desert foxes.
36. Economic Activities: Nomadic herding, limited farming, and salt trade.
37. Temperature: Extremely hot during the day and cool at night.
38. Challenges: Desertification and water scarcity.
39. Adaptations: Plants store water in stems, and animals are nocturnal to avoid daytime heat.
40. Location: Extreme northeastern states like Borno and Yobe.
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Highlands of Montane Forests and Grasslands

Features

41. Found in the Obudu, Jos, and Mambilla Plateaus in southeastern and central Nigeria.
42. Climate: Cooler temperatures (15–25°C) due to high altitude.
43. Vegetation: Mixture of montane forests and grasslands.
44. Soil: Rich and suitable for agriculture.
45. Wildlife: Includes rare birds, monkeys, and antelope species.
46. Economic Activities: Cattle rearing, crop farming (potatoes, tea), and tourism.
47. Rainfall: Moderate to high (1200–1500 mm annually).
48. Human Activities: Logging and terrace farming are common.
49. Cultural Importance: The Obudu Cattle Ranch and Jos Plateau are tourist attractions.
50. Location: Southeastern Nigeria (Obudu Plateau) and central regions (Jos Plateau).
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Application of Biome Features to Nigerian Regions

Features and Characteristics

51. Tropical Rainforest: Promotes high biodiversity and supports timber and agricultural industries.
52. Guinea Savanna: Suitable for mixed farming and grazing due to moderate rainfall.
53. Sudan Savanna: Best for drought-resistant crops like millet and sorghum.
54. Desert: Supports nomadic herding and limited subsistence farming.
55. Montane Highlands: Ideal for cool-climate crops like tea and potatoes.
56. Impact of Rainfall: Determines vegetation density and farming practices.
57. Temperature Variability: Affects the types of crops and livestock raised.
58. Soil Fertility: Influences the distribution of vegetation and human settlements.
59. Adaptation of Wildlife: Animals in savannas and deserts have evolved to conserve water and survive harsh conditions.
60. Cultural Significance: Biomes like the montane highlands are vital for tourism and cultural preservation.
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Locating Biomes in Nigeria

Regional Locations

61. Tropical Rainforest: Southern states like Cross River, Ondo, and Edo.
62. Southern Guinea Savanna: Kwara, Niger, and Benue States.
63. Northern Guinea Savanna: Kaduna, Bauchi, and parts of Niger.
64. Sudan Savanna: Sokoto, Kano, and Katsina States.
65. Desert: Northeastern regions like Yobe and Borno.
66. Obudu Plateau: Cross River State, southeastern Nigeria.
67. Jos Plateau: Central Nigeria, Plateau State.
68. Mambilla Plateau: Taraba State, southeastern Nigeria.
69. Mangrove Swamps: Found along the Niger Delta region.
70. Impact on Distribution: Resource availability and climate determine human and wildlife settlements.
71. Rainfall Gradient: Decreases from south (rainforest) to north (savanna and desert).
72. Temperature Gradient: Cooler in highlands, hotter in low-lying northern regions.
73. Economic Zones: Biomes influence the type of economic activities (e.g., timber in rainforests, grazing in savannas).
74. Biodiversity Hotspots: Rainforests have the highest biodiversity.
75. Desertification Risk: Higher in the Sudan Savanna and desert regions.
76. Agricultural Patterns: Rainfed agriculture dominates in rainforests and savannas.
77. Tourism Potential: Highlands like Obudu and Jos are key attractions.
78. Challenges: Urbanization and deforestation threaten biodiversity.
79. Conservation Efforts: National parks and reserves protect endangered biomes.
80. Future Planning: Sustainable land use is critical to preserving Nigeria’s diverse biomes.

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