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Nigeria Vegetation

Nigeria’s vegetation can be broadly categorized into three major types: rainforest, savanna, and mangrove forests.

The rainforest vegetation of Nigeria covers the southern part of the country and is characterized by a dense canopy of tall trees, shrubs, and herbs. This type of vegetation is found in areas with high rainfall and humidity, and it supports a diverse range of plant and animal species.

The savanna vegetation of Nigeria is found in the central and northern parts of the country and is characterized by tall grasses, shrubs, and scattered trees. This type of vegetation is adapted to the region’s seasonal rainfall patterns and is home to a variety of wildlife, including opes. The savanna vegetation is also home to many pastoralist communities who rely on grazing their livestock on the open grasslands.

The mangrove forests are found along the coastal regions of Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region, and are characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that are adapted to grow in tidal waters. The mangrove forests are important ecosystems that provide breeding grounds and habitats for a variety of marine life, including fish, crabs, and oysters.

Over the years, Nigeria’s vegetation has been under threat from various human activities, such as deforestation, desertification, and oil exploration. Deforestation, in particular, has had a significant impact on the country’s rainforest vegetation, as large areas of forest have been cleared for agriculture, logging, and other development activities. This has led to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and a decline in the quality of life for many people who rely on the forests for their livelihoods.

Despite these challenges, efforts are being made by the government and various organizations to protect and preserve Nigeria’s vegetation. These efforts include reforestation programs, conservation initiatives, and sustainable land-use practices. The goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s vegetation continues to provide ecological, economic, and social benefits to the country and its people.

Meaning of Vegetation

Vegetation refers to the collection of plant life that covers the Earth’s surface. It includes all types of plants, from towering trees to tiny mosses, and can be found in almost every ecosystem on the planet. Vegetation provides important ecological functions such as regulating the water cycle, storing carbon, and providing habitat for wildlife. Additionally, many human cultures have depended on vegetation for food, medicine, and other resources throughout history.

Nigerian Vegetation

Nigeria’s vegetation is classified into three major types based on the amount of tree cover and the type of plants that grow in the region.

Forest vegetation

This type of vegetation is characterized by significant tree cover and is found in areas with high rainfall and humidity. The forest vegetation in Nigeria can be divided into three types, namely:

• Rainforest: This is found in the southern part of Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region. It has a high density of trees, with some reaching up to 50 meters in height.
• Guinea Savannah forest: This type of forest vegetation is found in the middle belt of Nigeria, where there is a transition from the rainforest to the savanna. It has a mixture of both trees and grasses, with the trees being less dense than those in the rainforest.
• Sudan Savannah forest: This is found in the northern part of Nigeria, where there is less rainfall. It has fewer trees than the other two types of forest vegetation, and they are mostly deciduous.

Savanna vegetation

This type of vegetation is characterized by insignificant tree cover, with scattered trees and grasses in between. It is found in areas with moderate rainfall, and the soil is generally not very fertile. Savanna vegetation in Nigeria can be divided into two types:

• Guinea savanna: This type of savanna vegetation is found in the southern part of Nigeria, where there is a transition from the rainforest to the savanna. It has more trees than the Sudan savanna and is generally more fertile.
• Sudan savanna: This type of savanna vegetation is found in the northern part of Nigeria, where there is less rainfall. It has fewer trees than the Guinea savanna and is generally less fertile.

Montane vegetation

This type of vegetation is found in mountainous areas in Nigeria and is characterized by a high proportion of grasses. It is found at higher elevations where the climate is cooler, and the soil is generally more fertile. The vegetation type is mostly made up of grasses and shrubs, and there are few trees. Examples of montane vegetation in Nigeria include the Obudu Plateau and the Mambilla Plateau. 

Forest vegetation refers to the plant life that grows in forests, which are areas of land dominated by trees and other woody plants.

 Here are some common types of forest vegetation:

1. Trees: Trees are the dominant form of vegetation in forests. They vary in height, shape, and type, depending on the forest ecosystem. Some common species of trees found in forests include oak, maple, pine, fir, and spruce.
2. Shrubs: Shrubs are woody plants that are shorter than trees, and they often grow in the understory of forests. Some common shrubs found in forests include rhododendrons, huckleberries, and mountain laurels.
3. Understory plants: Understory plants are smaller plants that grow beneath the trees and shrubs in the forest. They often require shade and have adapted to lower light levels. Examples of understory plants include ferns, mosses, and wildflowers.
4. Epiphytes: Epiphytes are plants that grow on the surface of other plants, such as trees or shrubs, but do not parasitize them. These plants often grow in the canopy of the forest, and examples include orchids, bromeliads, and lichens.
5. Vines: Vines are climbing plants that use other plants as support structures to grow upwards. They can be found throughout the forest, and some common examples include ivy, grape vines, and poison ivy.

Characteristics of Swamp Forest

Swamp forests are found in wetland areas with standing water or periodically flooded soils. The following are some characteristics of swamp forests:

1. Tall, woody trees: Swamp forests have tall trees that can reach heights of up to 60 meters. These trees have long trunks, which provide support for their heavy canopy. Examples of tall trees found in swamp forests include cypress, tupelo, and bald cypress.
2. Aerial roots: Swamp forests have trees with aerial roots. These roots emerge from the tree’s trunk or branches and extend downwards into the water or soil. Aerial roots provide structural support to the tree and also absorb oxygen for the tree’s root system. Examples of trees with aerial roots found in swamp forests include bald cypress and red mangrove.
3. Evergreen trees with broad leaves: The trees in swamp forests are mostly evergreen, meaning they retain their leaves throughout the year. These leaves are broad and flat, allowing them to absorb sunlight efficiently. Examples of evergreen trees with broad leaves found in swamp forests include live oak and sweetbay magnolia.
4. Trees found include white and red mangroves: Swamp forests are often dominated by specific types of trees such as the white and red mangroves. White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) has small, oval-shaped leaves and pneumatophores, which are specialized roots that emerge above the ground to absorb oxygen. Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) has thick, reddish-brown bark, and aerial roots that support the tree.

Characteristic of Rainforest

Swamp forests are found in wetland areas with standing water or periodically flooded soils. The following are some characteristics of swamp forests:

1. Tall, woody trees: Swamp forests have tall trees that can reach heights of up to 60 meters. These trees have long trunks, which provide support for their heavy canopy. Examples of tall trees found in swamp forests include cypress, tupelo, and bald cypress.
2. Aerial roots: Swamp forests have trees with aerial roots. These roots emerge from the tree’s trunk or branches and extend downwards into the water or soil. Aerial roots provide structural support to the tree and also absorb oxygen for the tree’s root system. Examples of trees with aerial roots found in swamp forests include bald cypress and red mangrove.
3. Evergreen trees with broad leaves: The trees in swamp forests are mostly evergreen, meaning they retain their leaves throughout the year. These leaves are broad and flat, allowing them to absorb sunlight efficiently. Examples of evergreen trees with broad leaves found in swamp forests include live oak and sweetbay magnolia.
4. Trees found include white and red mangroves: Swamp forests are often dominated by specific types of trees such as the white and red mangroves. White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) has small, oval-shaped leaves and pneumatophores, specialized roots that emerge above the ground to absorb oxygen. Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) has thick, reddish-brown bark, and aerial roots that support the tree.

Savanna vegetation refers to grasslands. In Nigeria, there are three types of savanna vegetation which are Guinea Savanna, the Sudan Savanna and the Sahel Savanna. Guinea Savanna is found in places like Enugu, Lokoja, Ilorin, Markudi, Osogbo and other areas.

Characteristics of Guinea Savanna

The Guinea Savanna is a vegetation belt found in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, and is characterized by specific features which include:

1. Tall Grasses and Few Scattered Trees: The Guinea Savanna is dominated by tall grasses such as Andropogon gayanus and Hyparrhenia species, while the trees are relatively sparse, with an average height of about 10-12 meters.
2. Deciduous Trees: Trees in the Guinea Savanna are mostly deciduous, meaning they shed their leaves in the dry season to conserve water.
3. Tiny Leaves: The trees in the Guinea Savanna have small leaves to reduce transpiration and water loss during the dry season.
4. Seasonal Grass Growth: The grasses in the Guinea Savanna are green during the rainy season but turn brown during the dry season due to the lack of moisture.
5. Specific Tree Species: Some of the tree species found in the Guinea Savanna include Oil palm, dum palm, shea butter, and Isoberlina. These trees are adapted to the seasonal changes and the dry climate of the region.
6. Largest Vegetation Belt in Nigeria: The Guinea Savanna is the largest vegetation belt in Nigeria, covering about 40% of the country’s land area.

Characteristics of Sudan Savanna

The Sudan Savanna is a vegetation zone that stretches across Africa, including parts of Sudan. Some of the key characteristics of this region include:

1. Short grasses: The Sudan Savanna is characterized by short grasses that grow to a height of about 1-2 meters. These grasses are adapted to the dry and hot conditions of the region.
2. Scattered deciduous trees: The region has scattered deciduous trees that provide shade and shelter to animals. These trees include species like shea, baobab, and acacia.
3. Trees with thorns and thick barks: Some of the trees in the Sudan Savanna have thorns on their branches and trunks. Others have thick barks that help them to store water during the dry season.
4. Plant species: The Sudan Savanna is home to various plant species that are adapted to the region’s climatic conditions. These include acacia, date palm, silk cotton plants, and baobab.
5. Sahel Savanna: The Sahel Savanna is a sub-region of the Sudan Savanna that is found in northern Nigeria, including Maiduguri and Damaturu. It is characterized by sparse vegetation and dry conditions due to its proximity to the Sahara desert.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SAHEL SAVANNA

The Sahel savanna is a transitional zone between the Sahara desert and the tropical rainforest. It has the following characteristics:

1. Short scanty grasses: The Sahel savanna has short and sparse grasses due to the low rainfall and high temperature. The grasses are usually less than a meter tall and widely spaced.
2. Presence of short and tough shrubss/trees: The Sahel savanna has short and tough shrubs and trees that are adapted to the harsh environment. These shrubs and trees are well adapted to low rainfall and high temperature.
3. Grasses are fewer, poorer and in patches: The grasses in the Sahel savanna are usually fewer, poorer, and in patches. They are not evenly distributed due to the irregular rainfall pattern.
4. Many drought-resistant and scattered plants: The Sahel savanna is home to many drought-resistant plants that can survive in harsh environments. These plants are usually widely spaced to minimize competition for resources such as water and nutrients.
5. Plant species are acacia, gum Arabic, date palm, and baobab: The Sahel savanna is dominated by plant species such as acacia, gum Arabic, date palm, and baobab. These plant species are well adapted to the harsh environment and are important sources of food and shelter for humans and animals.
6. Sparse rainfall discouraging cultivation of crops: The Sahel savanna has sparse and irregular rainfall, which makes it difficult to cultivate crops. As a result, the people living in the Sahel region rely heavily on livestock rearing and subsistence agriculture.

Montane vegetation refers to plant life that is found in highland areas, such as Jos and Adamawa, where there is a high concentration of grasses.

Characteristics of Montane Vegetation

1. It is associated with highland areas: Montane vegetation is primarily found in mountainous regions at high elevations, typically above the altitude where forests stop growing, and below the snow line. These regions usually have cooler temperatures, and higher rainfall, and are subject to seasonal changes in temperature and rainfall.
2. It has varied trees at its windward (facing the wind) side: The windward side of a mountain receives more precipitation due to the moist air being pushed up the mountain. This increased moisture allows for more trees to grow, including evergreen and broadleaf trees.
3. It has grasses at its leeward (sheltered from the wind) side: The leeward side of a mountain is sheltered from the wind and is typically drier. This environment is more conducive to the growth of grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation that is more tolerant of drought conditions.
4. Presence of short, scattered and deciduous trees: The trees found in montane vegetation tend to be shorter than those found in lower elevations, and are often deciduous. This is because they need to conserve energy and resources due to the harsher growing conditions. These trees are often scattered rather than forming dense forests.
5. It is highly populated with grasses: Grasses are a common feature of montane vegetation, especially on the leeward side of mountains where conditions are drier. They can be found in the form of tussock grasses, bunchgrasses, and other types of herbaceous plants. These grasses provide important food sources for many animals that live in these areas.

Importance of Vegetation

1. Source of Food: Vegetation provides an essential source of food for humans and animals alike. Plants are a primary source of food for herbivorous animals, and humans also consume various fruits, vegetables, and grains, providing essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for maintaining good health.
2. Timbers: Trees are a valuable natural resource that is used to produce timber and other forest products, including pulp and paper, furniture, and construction materials. Forests are also essential for maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, preventing soil erosion and maintaining the water cycle.
3. Roofing: Vegetation is also used in the construction of roofs. Grass, leaves, and palm fronds are commonly used for roofing materials in many parts of the world, providing an affordable and sustainable alternative to modern roofing materials.
4. Medicinal Purposes: Many plants contain compounds that are used for medicinal purposes. Traditional medicine practitioners have used various parts of plants, including roots, bark, and leaves, to treat various ailments for centuries.
5. Raw Materials for Industries: Plants are a vital source of raw materials for various industries. For example, cotton is used to produce textiles, while sugarcane and corn are used to produce ethanol and other biofuels. Many industries also rely on plant-derived compounds for the production of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other products.
6. Tourism: Vegetation provides sites for tourism, including national parks, botanical gardens, and wildlife reserves. These areas offer opportunities for people to experience nature and learn about the importance of conservation.
7. Employment: The vegetation and the forest industry provide employment opportunities for many people, including hunters, lumbermen, forest officers, and ecotourism guides. This sector is a significant contributor to the economy of many countries and provides livelihoods for many people.