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Difficulty: EasyBiomes and Aquatic/Terrestrial Habitats

Arrange the following Nigerian terrestrial biomes in sequence from the coastal south (highest annual rainfall) to the extreme northern border (lowest annual rainfall).

  1. 1Mangrove swamp forest
  2. 2Tropical rainforest
  3. 3Sudan savanna
  4. 4Sahel savanna

Answer

The correct sequence from south to north (highest to lowest annual rainfall) is Mangrove swamp forest, Tropical rainforest, Sudan savanna, and Sahel savanna.
In Nigeria, biomes follow a distinct latitudinal gradient determined by annual rainfall. The sequence begins at the southern Atlantic coast with the ultra-humid Mangrove swamp forest, transitions into the Tropical rainforest, moves into the drier Sudan savanna in the north, and terminates at the semi-arid Sahel savanna along the northern border.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the southernmost coastal biome with maximum precipitation.
Mangrove swamp forest occupies the southern coastline with high humidity and maximum rainfall.
Coastal geography in Nigeria dictates the highest annual rainfall at the southern maritime margin.
2
Identify the inland forest biome directly north of the mangroves.
Tropical rainforest lies immediately inland from the mangrove belt.
Precipitation remains high enough to support tall timber trees and dense canopy vegetation.
3
Determine the drier savanna zones as latitude increases northward.
Sudan savanna follows further north, followed by Sahel savanna at the northern boundary.
Annual rainfall decreases progressively moving north away from the Atlantic Ocean.

Key Concept

Latitudinal and rainfall gradient of Nigerian vegetation zones
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Topics

Biomes and Aquatic/Terrestrial Habitats

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