(b) Characteristics of the forest belts;
(i) Mangrove (salt water swamp) forest
— tall woody trees – about 25 metres
— mainly red, white mangrove
—trees have aerial roots
—dense tangles of undergrowth
—trees are evergreen
— trees with broad leaves
(ii) Mangrove (fresh water swamp) forest
— fresh water plants e.g. the raffia palm
—undergrowth is dense
— made of shrubs and lianas more open forest
— hence sunlight could reach the ground
(iii) The High Forest;
— many plant species
— trees are not in pure stands
— trees are tall, about 60 m
— trees have evergreen and broad leaves distinct layer arrangement
— upper, middle and lower layers.
— trees develop buttress roots for support
— presence of little undergrowth due to canopy of the forest.
— presence of climbers, creepers, epiphytes and parasitic plants.
— important trees are iroko, obeche, mahogany, walnut etc.
(c) Importance of the forest to Nigeria;
— firewood for fuel
— wood for construction
— medicinal herbs
— food e.g. nuts, fruits etc.
— wild life conservation
— source of wood for export to earn foreign exchange.