Forest And Forest Uses JSS2 Agricultural Science Lesson Note

FOREST AND FOREST USES

There are two major types of vegetation in Nigeria. These are the forest and the savannah. 

 i.   The Forest Zones

  ii.    Mangrove and freshwater swamp forests 

 iii.   Rain forest: 

  ii .   The savanna Zones

(a)   Derived savanna:   

(b)   Southern Guinea Savanna:

(c)   Northern Guinea Savanna

(d)  Sudan Savanna

(e)   Sahel Savanna

FORESTRY

Description of forest

A forest is an ecological habitat where trees, animals, and many other plants co-exist. A forest is made up of groups of trees and other living things. Shrubs, herbs, lower plants, and microscopic organisms grow under the trees. A forest also serves as a home for many animals such as antelope, grass cutter, elephant, hare, monkeys, etc. The study and management of forests and forest resources is known as forestry. Simply put forestry is the study and care of all the living organisms in the forest.

Forest Resources (Products)

The two major components of forests are trees and wild animals (wildlife). Forest trees: Tree species are widely spread in the forest. Forest reserves in Southern Nigeria contain most of the timber species of economic importance such as Teak, and Neem (Dogoyaro). The table below shows a list of some timber species of economic value in Nigeria. 

Name of Tree                     Common Name                             State / Location

Khaya (grandifoliola,          Mahogany                          Cross River, Ondo,

Ivorensis,                                                                                         Anambra

Senegalensis)                                                                      Delta, Edo, Ebonyi, Kwara, Plateau, Ogun,Oyo, Nassarrawa and Sokoto

Tenninalia Superba             Afara                                               Anambra, Delta, Edo, Imo, Cross River, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti.

Mansonia Altissima            Mansonia                               Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo.

Chlorophora excels             Iroko                                               Edo, Kaduna, Anambra, Delta, Ogun, Ondo OyTetminalia ivorensis     Idigbo      Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo,  Ogun Oyo

Forest Animals:

These are usually referred to as wildlife. In Nigeria, forest animals are called bush meat. They include: Rabbits and hares, Rodents (grass cutters, squirrels, porcupines, and giant rats); Pangolin; monkeys and apes (baboons, gorillas, and chimpanzees); ungulates (hoofed animals such as zebras, hippopotami, giraffes, buffalo, rhino, and bush pigs); carnivores (mongoose, hyenas, lions, and leopards); Elephants; Reptiles (snake, lizards, crocodiles and tortoise; and Birds (eagles, vulture, cattle egret, and guinea fowl, etc)