VEGETATION IN NIGERIA

VEGETATION IN NIGERIA

The geographical area called Nigeria has a total land area of 983,213 km2 with over 180 millionpeople living in it. The country is covered by three major types of vegetation which include forests, savannas, and montane land.

In this post, we'll find out what these vegetation types mean and we'll further divide them into other zones.

Vegetation can be defined as the association of plants. Vegetation is also an area of land on which different species of plants can grow.

In Nigeria, vegetation formation is divided into three major zones.

1. The Forest Vegetation
2. The Savanna Vegetation
3. The Montane Vegetation

Both forest and savanna can be sub-divided into different belts.
Forest Vegetation: At the northern part of this region is freshwater swamp. There is also the saltwater mangrove swamp as well as the rain forest which is located north of this swamp.
i. Mangrove Swamp Forest
ii. Fresh Water Forest
iii. Equitorial Rain Forest
Savanna Vegetation: Savannahs are areas with insignificant tree cover with grasses and flowers found between these trees.
i. Guinea Savanna
ii. Sudan Savanna
iii. Sahel Savanna
Mangrove Swamp Forest
This vegetation is found mainly in Delta and coastal areas like Port Harcourt, Warri, Uyo and Calabar.
Characteristics of Mangrove Swamp

1. It has a tail, woody Mangrove tree
2. It has a serial root
3. It has evergreen trees with broad leaves
4. Trees found include mangrove raffia palm
5. Aquatic Organism are found
6. Water is salty or blackish in nature
7. No natural forest vegetation apart from the presence of water jacinth
8. It is found in the north of the Atlantic ocean.

Importance
-Raffia is used for making basket, bags, broom, etc
- Mangrove trees are used for boat building
-Farming activities such as swamp rice cultivation are embarked.
THE FRESHWATER SWAMP FOREST
This type of forest is found further include mainly in Niger Delta, Lagos and along river valleys.
Characteristics

1. It has raffia palms
2. It has climbing plants and freshwater ferms
3. Aquatic animals are found
4. Its water is not salty

Importance

1. The mangrove tree is used for supporting the roof of coal mines
2. It serves as fuel
3. An acid called thiamin can be extracted from the trees. This is used for leather works.
4. The trees is used for the construction of railway sleepers.

RAIN FOREST
It is found in the southern part of Nigeria in Benin, Sapele, Akure, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Aba etc.
Characteristics

1. It has tall trees with buttress roots, evergreen, and broad leaves
2. Trees exist different height, storage or layers i.e bottom or lower, middle and upper layers.
3. Presence of little undergrowth due to the canopy of the forest
4. Presence of climbers, creepers, epiphyte and parasitic plants
5. It has numerous heterogeneous species of trees like Iroko, obeche etc
6. Plants species are not in pure stand
7. Trees are generally evergreen

Guinea Savanna
The savanna is found in Ilorin, Lokoja, Markudi, Abuja.
Characteristics
-It is the largest of all the vegetation belts in Nigeria.
-Presence of all the vegetation
-The trees are scattered and deciduous (Shed Leaves)
-Important trees include locust bean trees, shead tuber etc
-Rainfall is about 1000mmper annum
-Rainfall duration is between 5-6 months
Sudan Savanna
The vegetation belt is found in Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Dutse, Bauchi etc
SUDAN SAVANNA
The vegetation belt is found in Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Dutse, Bauchi etc.
Characteristics
-Amount of rainfall is 600mm per annum
-Rainfall duration is about 4months
-Animals like herbivores and Carnivores are found
-It has short numerous grasses
-Presence of scattered and short deciduous plant
-Plants species include Acacia, suki cotton, plants, baobab
-Some trees have thorns while others have barks
-Some trees wither in the dry season and sprout at the beginning of the rainy season.
Sahel Savanna
It is found in Maduguri and Damaturu.
Characteristics
-It has short scanty grasses
-Presence of short and tough shrubs.
-It has many drought resistance and scattered plants
-Popular plants include Acacia, date palm, baobab
-Rainfall is less than 456mm per year
-Trees found are drought in resistant
Montane Vegetation
This is found in Jos.
Characteristics
-It is associated with highland
-It has various trees at the windward side
-It has grasses at the Leeward Side/rainfall shadow
-Wind ward is the side where wide seconded a mountain
Shrubs: A plant that is cut and planned in order to decorate.
Characteristics
-Presence of short scattered trees.
-It combines tall trees at the foot and short or peak summit
Summary
These vegetative zones are also known for their economic benefits. Kaya, Sapel, iroko, opepe, agba, and obeche produce ornamental and construction timber.

Also, the leaves of the candelabra-shaped pandanus are used for weaving mats and baskets while the leaves of raffia palm are used as a roofing material.
Additionally, the juice of the palm wine is used to produce wine while cash crops like cocoa, peanuts, cotton, and many tropical crops are foreign earners