Theory question 106
Nigeria: Physical Setting(a) On an outline map of Nigeria, show and name: (i) the mangrove swamp forest (ii) the Sahel savanna (iii) the Guinea savanna (iv) one major town in 6(a)(i) and 6(a)(iii) above. (b) Highlight three main characteristics of the Guinea Savanna vegetation. (c) Outline four ways in which the mangrove swamp forest is of economic importance.
Show the model answer
(a) Mangrove swamp: coastal strip of the Niger Delta and Lagos/Calabar lagoons (town Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar); Sahel savanna: extreme north-east and north-west (around Lake Chad); Guinea savanna: middle belt (towns Ilorin, Makurdi, Minna, Abuja, Lokoja).
(b) Tall grasses (1.5-3 m) such as elephant grass; scattered deciduous trees (shea butter, locust bean, oil palm along rivers) that shed leaves in the dry season; gallery forests along rivers; trees have thick bark and long roots to resist fire and drought; grass dries and is burnt in the dry season.
(c) Wood for fuel and charcoal; poles for building; tannin from bark for dyeing and tanning; medicinal herbs; fishing and shellfish (oysters, crabs) among the roots; ropes and raffia; protection of the coast from erosion; tourism.
Shade each vegetation belt in the correct latitude and add a key.