SSS1 Biology - Basic Ecological Concepts | Biomes

BEHAVIOURAL OBJECTIVES:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

i. State six(6) major biomes of the world.
ii. State six(6) biomes in Nigeria.
iii. State the locations of biomes in Nigeria.
iv. State four(4) characteristics of tropical rainforest.
v. State four(4) characteristics of Sahel Savanna(Sahelian).
vi. State four(4) characteristics of Southern Guinea Savanna.
vii. State four(4) characteristics of Northern Guinea Savanna.
viii. State four(4) characteristics of desert.
ix. State four(4) characteristics of Swamp.

INTRODUCTION: Examples of biomes are tropical rainforest, savanna, desert, etc. Each of these biomes have characteristics used in describing it. E.g. Tropical rainforest characterized by ever-green vegetative because there is high amount of rainfall in this zone.

Major Biomes of the World

i. Tropical Rainforest.
ii. Savanna.
iii. Desert.
iv. Shrubs.
v. Afro-Alphine.
vi. Swamp.

Biomes in Nigeria

i.Tropical rainforest.
ii. Sahel savanna (Sahelian).
iii. Southern Guinea savanna.
iv. Northern Guinea savanna.
v. Desert.
vi. Swamp/Estuarine regions.

Location of biomes in Nigeria

i. Tropical rainforest – Edo, Delta, Ondo, Imo, Ogun, Anambra, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom.
ii. Sahel savanna – Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa.
iii. Southern savanna – Enugu, Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Oyo, Ebonyi, Osun, Ekiti.
iv. Northern savanna – Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi, Niger, Taraba, Adamawa, Kano.
v. Desert – Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno.
vi. Swamp – Delta, Cross-River, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Ogun and Lagos.

Characteristics of Tropical rainforest

i. High rainfall of over 200cm.
ii. Low temperature.
iii. High relative humidity.
iv. Ever-green vegetation.
v. The trees form canopies.
vi. The trees exist in different layers i.e. lower, middle and upper layers.
vii. Has little undergrowth due to canopy formed by tall trees.
viii. Prop roots are common.
ix. Animals commonly found include; Monkeys, Birds, Snakes, Chameleon, Squirrel, etc.

Characteristics of Sahel savanna

i. High temperature.
ii. Very low rainfall (below 50cm per annum).
iii. Has short and scanty grasses.
iv. Has many droughts resistant plant.
v. Plant species include: Acacia, Date palm, Gum Arabic, etc.

Characteristics of Southern Guinea savanna

i. Has moderate rainfall of below 100cm-150cm.
ii. Has tall grasses with broad leaves.
iii. Trees are scattered and deciduous(shed their leaves during dry season).
iv. Important trees include: Locust beans, trees, etc. Animals include Lions, Zebra.

Characteristics of Northern Guinea savanna

i. Has low rainfall of about 50cm-100cm per annum.
ii. Has scattered and short deciduous trees.
iii. Some trees have thorns while others have thick barks.

Characteristics of a Desert

i. Has little or no rainfall in most of the year.
ii. Has high temperature.
iii. Has very low humidity.
iv. Has fewer grasses and shrubs.
v. Plants have swollen and succulent stems, long taproots for water and mineral absorption.
vi. Common examples of trees and cactus plants, Baobab, etc.

Characteristics of Swamp

i. Has tall woody trees.
ii. Has high rainfall of over 250cm throughout the year.
iii. Has ever-green trees with broad leaves.
iv. It has a combination of salt and freshwater.
v. They are water-logged areas.
vi. Common plant species include; White mangrove, Red mangrove, Coconut. Animal species include; Tilapia fish, Oysters, Crabs, Snakes, Birds and Kingfishers.