Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary 1

Vegetation and soils in Nigeria

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TERM – 3RD TERM

WEEK FOUR

Class: Senior Secondary School 1

Age: 15 years

Duration: 40 minutes of 5 periods each

Date:

Subject: Geography

Topic: VEGETATION AND SOILS IN NIGERIA

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

  1. Identify major vegetation belts in Nigeria and their characteristics.
  2. Mention the major soil zones and their characteristics.
  3. Describe the areas that are prone to soil erosion in Nigeria.
  4. Discuss the effects and control measures of soil erosion in Nigeria.

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers,

demonstration, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Videos, loud speaker, textbook, pictures

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

PERIOD 1-2

PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITY

STUDENT’S

ACTIVITY

STEP 1

INTRODUCTION

The teacher gives a brief overview of vegetation and identify the major vegetation belts in Nigeria

Students as a class mention major vegetation belts in Nigeria and their characteristics

STEP 2

EXPLANATION

Teacher gives the major soil zones in Nigeria and discuss their characteristics.

Students, in small groups, discuss the major soil zones and their characteristics

STEP 3

DEMONSTRATIO

N

Teacher show areas prone to soil erosion.

Teacher discusses the effects and control of soil erosion in Nigeria.

 Students examine the areas that are prone to soil erosion in Nigeria Students in pairs, describe the effects and control measures of soil erosion in Nigeria Students as a class go on excursion to an erosion degraded site and write a short report based on observation

STEP 4

NOTE TAKING

The teacher writes a summarized note on the board

 

The students

copy the note in

their books

 

NOTE

VEGETATION AND SOILS IN NIGERIA

Vegetation refers to the collective term for the various plant life, including plants, trees, shrubs, and other greenery, found in a particular region or habitat. It plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by influencing climate, providing habitats for various species, and contributing to the overall environmental balance. The type of vegetation in an area is influenced by factors such as climate, soil, and topography.

Nigeria exhibits diverse vegetation zones, each with unique characteristics. The following are vegetation zones in Nigeria

  1. Rainforest Zone: Lush, evergreen forests with a dense canopy. High rainfall supports a rich biodiversity of plant and animal species. It is found in the Southern part of Nigeria.
  2. Guinea Savannah Zone: Transition zone featuring grasslands with scattered trees. Moderate rainfall supports agriculture, and the vegetation is a mix of grasses and shrubs. It is located at the North of the rainforest, covering central Nigeria.
  3. Sudan Savannah Zone: Open grasslands with fewer trees compared to Guinea Savannah. It experiences lower rainfall, and the vegetation supports grazing land for livestock. It is located further north, extending into central Nigeria.
  4. Sahel Zone: Open grasslands with fewer trees compared to Guinea Savannah. It experiences lower rainfall, and the vegetation supports grazing land for livestock. It is found at the Northernmost region, bordering the Sahara Desert.
  5. Mangrove Swamp Zone: Dominated by mangrove vegetation due to the influence of tidal waters. Unique flora adapted to brackish water conditions. It is located along the coastal areas in the Niger Delta.

Soil zones in Nigeria

Nigeria has various soil zones with distinct characteristics:

  1. Savanna Soil (Northern Nigeria covers states like Kano, Sokoto, and Katsina): It's has a low organic matter, moderate fertility, and influenced by the Sahelian climate with a mix of grasslands and shrubs.
  2. Forest Soil (Central and Southern Nigeria encompasses states such as Oyo, Edo, and Cross River): It is rich in organic matter, high fertility, well-drained, and suitable for diverse crops due to the tropical rainforest climate.
  3. Coastal Soil (Southern Nigeria which include areas around Lagos, Delta, and Akwa Ibom): It is influenced by coastal influences, these soils may have higher salinity levels, but they are suitable for crops like oil palm.
  4. Mangrove Soil (Niger Delta Region): It is saline and nutrient-rich due to proximity to the coast, suitable for mangrove vegetation.

Areas Prone to Soil Erosion in Nigeria

   - Southeastern Nigeria: States like Anambra and Enugu are prone to gully erosion due to the hilly terrain and intense rainfall.

   - Southeastern Coastal Areas: Erosion is common along the coastal areas of Cross River and Akwa Ibom due to the combination of rainfall and tidal action.

   - Southeastern Plateau Regions: Parts of Plateau State, like Jos, face erosion challenges owing to topography and human activities.

Effects of Soil Erosion in Nigeria

  1. Erosion leads to the removal of the nutrient-rich topsoil, impacting agricultural productivity.
  2. Sediment runoff from erosion can degrade water quality in rivers and lakes, affecting aquatic ecosystems.
  3. Eroded soil can contribute to increased surface runoff, leading to flash floods and exacerbating flood-related issues.
  4. Erosion can undermine roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, posing risks to transportation and communication networks.
  5. Soil erosion can contribute to habitat degradation, impacting plant and animal species in affected areas.

Control Measures for Soil Erosion in Nigeria

  1. Planting trees helps stabilize soil, reduce runoff, and enhance biodiversity.
  2. Constructing terraces on sloping land helps break the flow of water, reducing erosion and facilitating water infiltration.
  3. Growing cover crops during non-cropping seasons helps protect the soil from erosion by maintaining ground cover.
  4. Plowing along the contour lines of the land helps slow down water runoff, minimizing soil erosion.
  5. Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural systems helps improve soil structure and reduce erosion.
  6. Soil Conservation Practices: Implementing conservation techniques such as no-till farming, mulching, and crop rotation helps protect the soil from erosion.

EVALUATION: 1. What is vegetation.?

  1. List and explain the vegetative zones in Nigeria and explain them.
  2. Identify 3 areas that are prone to erosion in Nigeria
  3. Mention 4 effects of erosion in Nigeria.

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively