Theory question 108
Habitats and Biomes(a) Describe the characteristic features of the vegetation of the tropical rain forest.
(b) Name two types of savanna found in Nigeria giving one example in each case of a town where they occur.
(c) Describe briefly three ways each by which animals in arid habitats are adapted to:
(i) drought; (ii) high temperatures
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(a) Dense, evergreen vegetation with many plant species; tall trees in three or more layers (strata) with emergents up to 40 m or more; closed canopy, so little light reaches the floor and there is little undergrowth; trees have buttress roots and straight trunks with smooth, thin bark; broad leaves with drip tips; many climbers (lianas) and epiphytes; hardwoods such as mahogany, iroko, obeche.
(b) Any two with a town: Guinea savanna – Ilorin, Oyo, Makurdi, Minna, Abuja; Sudan savanna – Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Zaria; Sahel savanna – Maiduguri, Nguru; derived savanna – Ogbomosho, Enugu; montane – Jos plateau, Obudu.
(c)(i) Drought: produce dry faeces and very concentrated urine (uric acid); get water from food and from respiration (metabolic water); store fat/water (camel's hump); impermeable skin or scales reduce water loss; few sweat glands; some aestivate in the dry season.
(ii) High temperatures: burrow underground or hide in shade during the day; active at night (nocturnal); large ears or thin body parts radiate heat (e.g. fennec fox); light-coloured body reflects heat; tolerate a rise in body temperature; long legs keep the body away from the hot sand.
Each savanna type needs one correct town.