(a) On an outline map of Nigeria, locate and name: (i) the rain-forest belt (ii) one area of montane vegetation (iii) two towns important for lumbering with...

(a) Location on the outline map of Nigeria

As shown on the map above:

• Rain-forest belt: This is located in the southern part of Nigeria, stretching across the coastal and inland states from the west through the Niger Delta to the south-east. It includes areas around Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
• Montane vegetation: One area of montane vegetation is the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State, in eastern Nigeria. The Obudu Plateau in Cross River State is also acceptable.
• Towns important for lumbering: Sapele, in Delta State, and Calabar, in Cross River State, are important lumbering towns within or close to the forest belt. Benin City is another acceptable example.

(b) Factors that have favoured timber production in Nigeria

1. Heavy and reliable rainfall: The forest belt receives high rainfall, often above \(1,500\text{ mm}\) annually. This supplies enough moisture for trees to grow rapidly throughout the year.
2. Uniformly high temperature: High temperatures and strong sunshine in southern Nigeria encourage continuous plant growth and the development of dense evergreen forest.
3. Fertile soils and favourable humidity: The warm, humid conditions and suitable soils support luxuriant natural vegetation and the growth of commercial tree species.
4. Presence of valuable hardwood species: The forests contain economic trees such as iroko, mahogany, obeche, afara, opepe and teak, which are suitable for furniture, construction, plywood and export.
5. High market demand: Timber is needed locally for building, furniture making, paper production and railway sleepers. There is also demand for Nigerian tropical hardwood in foreign markets.
6. Availability of transport routes: Rivers, creeks, roads, railways and seaports, especially around Sapele, Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar, have assisted the movement and export of logs and processed timber.

(c) Problems facing the lumbering industry in Nigeria

1. Depletion of economic tree species: Excessive and uncontrolled felling has reduced the supply of mature hardwood trees in many forest reserves.
2. Poor transportation: Many forest roads become muddy, flooded or impassable during the rainy season, making it difficult and costly to evacuate logs from forests.
3. Mixed nature of the forest: Valuable trees do not usually occur in pure stands. They are scattered among less useful trees, so logging requires more time, labour and money.
4. Low level of technology: Some operators use outdated machinery and inefficient processing methods, causing waste and reducing the quantity and quality of sawn timber.
5. Illegal logging: Unauthorised felling makes it difficult to regulate forest use, collect revenue and conserve valuable tree species.
6. Inadequate reforestation: Trees are often cut faster than they are replaced. This leads to deforestation, soil erosion and a long-term decline in timber resources.