THE NIGERIAN VEGETATION (PSB 403)

INTRODUCTION
The natural vegetation of Nigeria has resulted from the interaction between climate/weather conditions, soils, and
biotic factors. Generally, the vegetation zones correspond to climatic zones. The distribution of the vegetation
types depends on the fact that climatic conditions become drier as one moves further away from the sea. Thus, the
operative factors affecting the distribution of the Nigerian vegetation are the duration and severity of the dry
season.
The two major vegetation types in Nigeria are,
1. Forest
2. Savanna
The vegetation zones in Nigeria are,
1. Mangrove Coastal vegetation
2. Fresh water swamp Forest vegetation
3. Lowland rainforest vegetation
4. The Forest Derived Savanna vegetation (Forest savanna mosaic)
5. Southern Guinea Savanna
6. Northern Guinea Savanna
7. Sudan Savanna
8. Sahel Savanna
9. Montane vegetation

THE FOREST ECOSYSTEM

A forest can be defined as a vegetation dominated by trees in open and closed canopy from which grasses are
virtually absent. In other words, forests are vegetation types or plant formations in which trees are the dominant
species mostly evergreen trees and there is hardly any grass to be found in the undergrowth. Tropical forests are
some of the richest areas on earth. In fact, man’s existence without forestry resources is unthinkable as man
depends on these resources for most of his needs – food, shelter, fibre, medicine, fuelwood, etc.
Forest area in Nigeria was last measured at 216,269.5 km2 in 2020 compared to 265,260.9 km2 in 1990 (World Bank
Data- https://data.worldbank.org). Forest area is land under natural or planted stands of trees of at least 5 meters
in situ, whether productive or not, and excludes tree stands in agricultural production systems (for example, in
fruit plantations and agroforestry systems) and trees in urban parks and gardens.
Rainfall in the forest regions ranges from about 48 inches (1219.2 mm) per annum in places like Ibadan to about 144
inches (3657.6 mm) in places like Forcados. The humidity can be as high as 80 percent with minimal seasonal
changes. The combination of high temperature (around 25oC MAT) regular and heavy rainfall makes the vegetation
to grow luxuriously.
Nigeria has a heavily forested coastal south where the humid tropical conditions favour tree growth. The
undergrowth of evergreen woody species consists of trees, numerous shrubs and climbers, and few herbs. Fires are
seldom seen in forest vegetation because the vegetation is too damp and the humidity too high. Fire lit by man as a
prelude to farming could be seen. Animal species are more diverse and largely hidden due to dense foliage.
For the purpose of general account, the forest block will be treated as consisting of the following subdivisions:
i. Mangrove Forest/ Coastal vegetation (Saline water swamp/saltwater swamp)
ii. Freshwater swamp forest
iii. Tropical evergreen rainforest (Lowland rainforest forest/ High Forest)
MANGROVE FOREST/COASTAL VEGETATION
The Mangrove Forest vegetation is located around the Nigerian coastal strip, which varies in width from less than
1.5km in the Badagry and Lekki peninsula areas to over 5Okm in the Sapele area. It is pronounced where the fresh
water from the rivers meets and mixes with the salt water from the sea, forming brackish swamps. The low-lying
nature of the Nigerian coastal zone allows for the influx of saline water through tidal movements into the lagoons,
creeks and extensive brackish wetlands. This has encouraged the growth of different species of mangrove
vegetation.
The mangrove vegetation is a hydromorphic forest type characterised by an entangled dense growth of stems and
aerial roots behind the stretch of coconut palms overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. A good example is the Lekki
Peninsula area east of Lagos.
The mangrove vegetation exhibits a pH of less 4, indicating high acidity of the sulphate soils. This explains why only
few species are found in the mangrove zone. More than 80% of the mangrove swamps of the Niger delta are
characterized by such acid soils which call for extensive liming before they can be effectively used for crop
production or aquaculture.
All mangrove areas are regularly flooded by sea water, which contains 35 grams mineral salts, chiefly common salt
(NaCl) in every litre. Soil in the mangrove area is poorly aerated, waterlogged mud. The saline conditions make
water absorption difficult inducing a physiological drought. Mangrove has breathing root that emerges from the
brackish water at interval. Viviparity is seen in red mangrove, where the seed germinates while the fruit is still
hanging on the tress. When the seedling falls the seed floats away before being lodged in soil.
The landward boundaries of mangrove merge gradually with aquatic grassland, herbaceous swamps, freshwater
swamp forests, riparian forests, or forest-savanna mosaics, depending on local conditions.
The mangrove forests of Nigeria comprise principally only three families and six species as follows:
1. Rhizophoraceae (the red mangrove):
The red mangrove is of three types - Rhizophora racemosa, Rhizophora harrisonii and Rhizophora mangle. The
distribution pattern of the Rhizophora species is apparently related to their salt tolerance, with R. racemosa being
less tolerant than R. mangle. The white mangrove (Avicennia africana) and the shrub species Laguncularia
racemosa, are fewer in population and can be found mostly inland.
a) Rhizophora racemosa (Rhizophoraceae) is the most abundant accounting for about 90% of the mangrove forests.
It occurs at the outer body of water. It forms a dense growth throughout the region. It is also the biggest of the
three species attaining heights of up to 40m and diameter at breast height (dbh)>90 cm at maturity. It is a pioneer
species, its seeds readily occupying newly deposited mud, has many flower inflorescences with thick petals
b) Rhizophora harrisonii is small tree or shrub up to 5 -10m high that occupies a slightly higher and drier ground
than R. racemosa and it distinguishes from R. racemosa by having slender pointed flower buds and radicle not more
than 6 inches long.
c) R. mangle is a shrub or small tree up to 15 ft high and occupying the highest and driest ground.

2. Avicenniaceae (white mangrove)

Avicennia africana (Verbenaeae) may be seen in great numbers as a shrub near large port or as a large tree in less
disturbed habitats near the fishing beaches in creeks and lagoons. Avicennia africana is another viviparous species
3. Combretaceae - Laguncularia racemosa and Conocarpus erectus
Other species are
i. Salt water- fern - The only salt-water fern in the world, Acrostichum aureum, occurs in older parts of the
mangrove swamps, where dense swards of the fleshy herb, Sesuvium portulacastrum also exist.
ii. Alternanthera maritima (Amaranthaceae)
iii. Hibiscus tiliaceus (Malvaceae)
iv. Ipomoea pes-carprae (Convolvulaceae)
v. Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (Papilionaceae)
Importance of Mangrove vegetation
Mangroves are extremely important
• They serve as a buffer between marine and terrestrial communities and protect shorelines from damaging
effects of winds, waves, and floods.
• The thickets improve water quality by filtering pollutants and trapping sediments from the land.
• They reduce coastal erosion.
• They provide habitat for many organisms: many species of coastal and offshore fish and shellfish rely
exclusively on mangroves as their breeding, spawning, and hatching grounds.
• Serve as substantial carbon sinks

FRESH WATER SWAMP FOREST

The freshwater swamp forest occurs further inland beyond the reach of tidal waters and around freshwater creeks
and lagoons and lakes. Here, there is an enormous supply of fresh water from abundant rainfall and networks of
inland rivers, estuaries, lagoons and creeks and run-off from abundant rainfall in the area. The intricate network of
creeks and lagoons results in inaccessible swamps of forest vegetation in the southern parts. It extends as a low-
lying area, with hardly any part rising over 30 m a.s.l, thus, it facilitates the development of freshwater swamps
along the Niger Delta, drowned estuaries, lagoons and creeks. In the northern part are floodplains of sandy
accumulations, colonised by bush thickets and by tall grasses in the cultivated areas.
Edaphic conditions are
- Water abounds in pools and streams
- Soil is water -lodged and poorly aerated and poor nutritionally.
- The soil is formed by large deposit of sandy materials, silt and mud.

The freshwater swamp community occupies about 21,000 square kilometres of the forest zone. Members of this
community are:
i. Aquatic grassland and herbaceous swamps
ii. Deltaic swamps
iii. swamp forest
iv. Differentiated inland swamps make up the freshwater area.

The most common species of this vegetation type is the Raffia palm (Raffia sp) which dominates the swamps. The
better-drained areas support oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis) and big trees like Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa) and
white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa).
Others are
- Free floating and submerged water plants in quieter brackish water and lagoons.
- In shallower water rooted species eg water- lily (Nymphaea lotus, Nymphaeaceae) may be seen with Pistia
stratiotes (Araceae) being the most common species
- Vossia cuspidata (floating grass), along lagoon shore Cyperus papyrus (floating sedge), screw pine (Pandanus
candelabrum), Raphia sudanica (palmae) could dominate lagoon areas of swamp.

The common tall trees (over 100 ft) are

- Alstonia spp (Apocynaceae) Spodianthus preussii, Nauclea spp (Rubiaceae), Ficus sp (Moraceae), Lophira alata
(Ochnaceae)

Smaller tree species of freshwater swamp are (30 ft-100 ft)

i. Alstonia sp. (Apocynaceae)
ii. Anthosetema aubryanum (Euporbiaceae)
iii. Spondianthus preussii (Euporbiaceae)
iv. Berlinia spp (Caesalpiniaceae)
v. Carapa procera (Merliaceae)
vi. Grewia coriacea (Tiliaceae)
vii. Uapaca spp (Euporbiaceae)
THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST
This is a belt of tall trees with dense undergrowth of shorter species dominated by climbing plants. Lianas (woody
climbers) are abundant in this forest. The prolonged rainy season, resulting in high annual rainfall above 2000 mm
in this area, ensures adequate supply of water and promotes perennial tree growth. This luxuriant vegetation belt
stretches from the south-western border of Nigeria with Benin Republic, through a narrow stretch on the Niger and
Benue River system into the extensive area in the south-east of the country. The narrow stretch on the Niger-Benue
River system is due to the northward stretch and influence of the freshwater swamp forest north of the
depositional environment of the Niger Delta. It has varied width that ranges from 120 km on its western boundary
(towards the Lagos end), 300 km in the middle to 345 km at the Far East boundary with Cameroon. Examples of
states in this region are Edo, Delta, Ondo, Imo, Ondo, Oyo and Ogun.
The greatest part of the forest area is covered by this kind of vegetation (28% of the forest belt) and it constitutes
what is popularly thought of as forest. Other names include rain forest, lower rain forest, wet or dry evergreen
forest, moist semi deciduous forest, moist lowland forest, mixed deciduous forest and closed or high forest.
The tropical evergreen rainforest belt of Nigeria is characterised by very high human population densities, with
agriculture as the primary occupation of the people. The great demand for farmland has led to the destruction of
extensive areas of the rainforest. A great deal of lowland forest has been disturbed at one time or the other,
usually by farming or by felling so no forest is truly primary forest in the sense that it has never been disturbed by
man. A study conducted by FAO between 1973 and 1977 clearly showed that only 38% of the existing lowland rain
forest could be classified as undisturbed by logging operations. The eastern zone of this belt has virtually been
replaced by the oil palm plantation which produces oil, kernel and palm wine for economic purposes, as well as
yam, cassava and vegetables, for subsistence. As such term such as bush fallow forest re-growth and secondary
forest are supplied regularly. Some of the high rainforests are however still retained in pockets as reserves by the
Federal and State governments, or as community bushes.
Different species of plants are found in the tropical rainforest than in any other terrestrial biomes. These plants
have evolved adaptive features that make them survive in the environment. Some of these features are:
i. The trees in the tropical forest have big and wide buttress roots that penetrate deep into the soil.
ii. Emergent trees have direct access to the sunlight, while the submerged are usually slender and straight with
little or no branches. Branches only emerge at the top which allow plants to have adequate light energy for
photosynthesis.
iii. Each group of plants have adaptive feature that aids photosynthesis. Plants that grow under the canopy of other
trees have broad leaves with few layers of mesophyll cells for photosynthesis.
iv. Parasitic plants are very common in the rainforest. These plants possess efficient root system that can
penetrate the soil and compete for nutrient from the host plant for growth. Also, they could also store up water for
respiration.
v. Litter fall is the process whereby deciduous trees and shrubs drop their leaves during the long dry season in order
to preserve water during transpiration.
vi. Plants that rely on other plants for their nutritional requirement have special adaptation for storing water and
equally absorb moisture from the air.

The trees form three layers, called strata classified by their layering structure namely: lower, middle and top
strata.
i. The Lower Layer: This forms the undergrowth where the vegetation is most dense, describing an abundance of
herbs, shrubs and some grasses. They are hardly above 10m high as they are constantly subjected to destruction
through clearing for cultivation. Apart from their climbing nature their development is also stifled by the taller and
more luxuriant trees of the middle layer.
ii. The Middle Layer: The tropical evergreen rain forest derives its name from the nature of this layer. The middle
layer consists of heavily branched tall trees ranging between 15-30 m with well-developed and deep green foliage.
The layer's continued exposure to solar energy and prolonged humid conditions account for the hundreds of
evergreen plant species. The luxuriant nature of this layer is typified by the interlocking of the tree branches to
form an extensive canopy of evergreen foliage.
iii. The Top Layer: When viewed from the air, the extensive canopy of the middle layer is broken by very tall trees
in a scattered manner, rather than the closely packed nature of the lower and middle layers. Trees of the top layer
have tall straight stems of 50-60 yum with leaves growing on a few branches at the top of the trees. They possessed
very striking stems developed over highly buttressed roots. The top layer accounts for valuable economic trees such
as the Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis), Iroko (Milicia excelsa), Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon), Sapele Wood
(Entandrophragma cylindricum) and African Walnut (Lovoa trichiloides). They are very widely scattered making
exploitation expensive. The prop roots are known to rise some four metres above ground level in most cases,
making felling difficult.
FLORA
- Epiphytes abound in the crowns of lower storey and lower parts of the upper storey e.g Loranthus
- Climbers are common
- Forest is predominantly evergreen, though number of deciduous species increases towards the northern boundary
of the forest

Emergent species may be either evergreen or deciduous

- Common evergreen are Lophira alata and Tarrietia utilis
- While common deciduous are Chlorophora excelsa (Milicia) and Triplochiton sclereoxylon

Other emergent and upper storey species are

- Ceiba pentandra (Bombacaceae)
- Cynometra ananta (Caesalpiniaceae)
- Erythrophleum ivorense (Caesalpiniaceae)
- Lophira alata (Sapotaceae)
- Tarrietia utilis (Sterculiaceae)
- Terminalia superba (Combretaceae)

Lower storey species include:

- Diospyros sp. (Ebenaceae) e.g. D. mespiliformis
- Caloncoba spp. (Flacourtiaceae) e.g C. Echinata, C. gilgiana, C. glauca.

The shrub layer of mature forest is evergreen.

Two types of shrubs exist.
- One in which branching takes place close to the ground, so that there is no single main stern, and
- The other in which there is a distinct main axis, making the shrubs resemble small trees (called treelets). Treelets
are usually 10 ft high, not more than 6 inch in girth, being similar in size to saplings of taller trees which also form
part of the shrub layer.
THE FOREST DERIVED SAVANNA VEGETATION
The northern limit of the forest derived savanna ecological zone is the probable limit of the rainforest ecological
zone. It forms a band between the lowland rainforest ecological zone and the guinea savannah ecological zone.
This zone bears relics of lowland evergreen forest, and much of the vegetation has been stripped by human
activities, and the composition and appearance of this vegetation are much the same as that of the southern guinea
savanna. The Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a characteristic feature of this zone. Other common woody species
found in this zone include Celtis zenkeri, Anthonotha macrophylla, and Ireculia africana. There is a prominence of
the savanna-type grassland in this zone which is due to intense impact of human activities on the natural
environment. Some common grasses in this zone are Andropogon spp, Imperata sp, Hyparrhenia sp. The Dry season
lasts about 3 months, and mean annual rainfall is 1,440 mm – 1, 780 mm.
FOREST OUTSIDE THE FOREST
These forest types are usually found in moist highlands and river valleys. They are not part of the forest belt.
However, they have forest characteristics in terms of flora and fauna and can be located within and without the
forest and savanna belt. They are also referred to as forest outliners, which include riparian forest and forest
islands in the savanna zone.
This zone is found in Adamawa State, Benue State, directly north of the derived savanna in Anambra State and in
Kwara State as well. Other islands can be found in Niger State, southern extension of Kaduna and Plateau States. As
in part of Kainji Lake National Park or be found as relics on stony hill tops or other relatively inaccessible sites
unsuitable for farming.
Moist sub montane forest is found on the Jos, Mambilla and Obudu plateaux and on the Vogel peak massif and
outlying hills (NEST, 1991). Vegetation is varied with riverine forest communities in the valleys within the massif,
lowland savanna, sacred forest groves and some montane plant communities.
Riparian Forest
Riparian forests are commonly found at stream banks with closed strands of irregular structure. They consist of
lowland rainforest, freshwater swamp forests, and other forest types found on narrow strips bordering water
bodies. They are mature strand trees with close canopy and open undergrowth but do not have the same width
along water course which they fringe.
Many of these forests have been spared from agricultural activities due to difficult access and periodic flooding
regimes. These forests are important to the protection of watersheds, and when they are destroyed, siltation and
degradation of the watercourses becomes severe. These forests also have a role to play in the mitigation and
movement of many animal species, forming corridors of connectivity between different forest patches.
Montane forest
Montane forests contain considerable biodiversity due in large part to their geographical isolation and unique
microclimate, many of the plant and animal species found here are endemic to these areas. In Nigeria, montane
forests are found primarily on the highlands that form the south-eastern border between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Although some of this high-altitude area consists of grassland, shrubs, and rocky outcrops, there are some patches
of montane forests along the eastern, southern, and western sections, which merge gradually into lowland
rainforest at the base. Two types of montane forests can be identified: the mist forests with a diversity of moss and
epiphyte species and uneven canopies, and drier forests higher up, where dwarf and stunted trees occur. The Jos
Plateau is another highland area that once contained tracts of montane forests. This area has been highly modified
by anthropogenic factors, until now only remnant patches exist.
FOREST FAUNA
The forest provides enough shrubs and herbs as food as well as a good habitat for animals. It contains abundant
fauna. It provides habitat to the endemic white-throated monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster) and several other
animals such as the forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis), leopard (Panthera pardus), chimpanzee (Pan
troglodytes), forest buffalo (Synceros caffer), yellow backed duiker (Cephalophus sylvicultor), red-capped
mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus) and the African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis). Other animals include
Mona Monkey (Cercopithecus mona) and the putty-nosed guenon (Cercopithecus nictitans). Galago (Galago
demidovii) and Potto (Perodicticus potto) are very common and there is a healthy population of red river hog
(Potamochoerus porcus).
The marine and coastal environment of Nigeria is rich in resources and species diversity. The mangrove ecosystem
provides a nursery and breeding ground for a productive range of fish, crustaceans, and molluscs species that are
harvested locally and commercially. Nigeria’s coast is said to have about 199 species of finfish and shellfish, several
of which are used commercially. The Nigerian shrimp fishery is especially strong, and shrimp are now being
exported to other countries, including the United States. Artisanal fisher folk harvest a large variety of fish,
crustaceans, and molluscs from the estuaries and channels and utilize mangrove and swamp forest products for a
variety of domestic uses. A variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles inhabit the mangroves and swamp forests of the
coast, including a few endemic species like the Sclater's guenon or Sclater's monkey (Cercopithecus sclateri) and
the Nile Delta Red Columbus monkey. Although a few species of sea turtles lay eggs on Nigerian beaches, they are
rare and under threat from human predation.
The tropical rainforest has different animals. The warm environment and less heat provide attraction to numerous
exothermic animals, reptiles and other cold-blooded animals. Some of the rain forest animals are as follows.
i. Mammals: Most of the animals in the forest are tree dwellers and the big ones that live on the land. Those that
live on the trees include- chimpanzees, monkeys, gorillas and bats. The big animals include forest elephant, fox,
bush pig,
ii. Reptiles: These include snakes, lizards, tortoise, salamanders etc.
iii. Birds: These are: woodpeckers, wood owls, guinea fowls, and other species of smaller birds which serve as food
for the inhabitants of the forest.
iv. Others are: bats, beetles, bees, ants, termites, spiders, squirrels, frogs, other insects and scorpions.