(a) Draw an outline map of Nigeria. On the map, show and name . (i) three vegetation belts; (ii) one important town in each belt. (b) Highlight three effect...

Answer Details

(a) Outline map of Nigeria showing three vegetation belts and one town in each belt

The map shows three valid vegetation belts arranged broadly from the wetter south to the drier north. Tropical rainforest occurs in the humid south; Guinea savanna occupies much of the Middle Belt; and Sudan savanna occurs farther north. Other belts, such as mangrove swamp forest along the Niger Delta and Sahel savanna in the extreme north-east, could also be shown if required.

(b) Three effects of rainfall on vegetation in Nigeria

• High rainfall in southern Nigeria produces dense, evergreen tropical forest.
• Heavy rainfall supports the growth of tall trees in the south.
• Lower rainfall towards northern Nigeria favours grasses and short, widely spaced deciduous trees rather than dense forest.

Where rainfall is very scanty in the extreme north, vegetation becomes sparse, with short scattered grasses and scrub. The key relationship is that rainfall generally decreases from south to north, so vegetation changes from forest to savanna and then to sparse scrub.

(c) Two uses of vegetation resources in Nigeria

• Forests provide timber and wood for construction, furniture and fuel.
• Vegetation provides food and raw materials, including fruits, nuts, medicinal plants, rubber and gum Arabic.

Examination reminder: For rainfall-and-vegetation questions, link the amount of rainfall to a named vegetation feature: high rainfall → tall, dense evergreen forest; low rainfall → grasses and short, scattered deciduous trees.