Chap 7- Tropical Forest Resources and Sustainable Development Flashcards
(46 cards)
What are tropical forests?
Vegetation types including evergreen forests in tropical lowlands
How many tree species are found in Malaysia vs Nigeria?
Malaysia has about 2000 different tree species while Nigeria has about 560.
What is the difference between major and minor forest products?
This classification is subjective - a minor product in one place may be major in another. For example, gum arabic is a minor forest product in Nigeria but a major forest product elsewhere.
What are the latitude boundaries of tropical forests?
Tropical forests generally occur between latitude 24°S and 24°N, though boundaries aren’t rigid especially in Indo-China and Australia.
Name the four main tropical forest regions.
- African Tropical Forest Region 2. American Tropical Forest Region 3. Indo-Malaysian Tropical Forest Region 4. Australian Tropical Forest Region
What factors have reduced tropical forest areas in the last 50 years?
Forest clearing for agriculture, urbanization, road development, and improved exploitation technology.
What is the JARRI project and its significance?
It’s a multinational project in the Amazon that represents a massive assault on the tropical forest, demonstrating large-scale forest conversion.
What are the two prevailing winds that determine Nigeria’s seasons?
- North-East trade winds (cold, dust-laden, brings harmattan and dry season) 2. South-Westerly winds (moisture-laden, warm, brings rain and wet season)
What is the minimum annual rainfall required for rain forest in Southern Nigeria?
1400mm or more annual rainfall is required.
What are the three main tropical high forest types in Nigeria?
- Mangrove forest and coastal vegetation 2. Fresh water swamp forest 3. Lowland rain forest
What is the dominant tree species in mangrove forests?
Red mangrove (Rhizophora racemosa) whose bark is a source of tannin used in leather and plywood industries.
What percentage of Nigeria’s total land area does tropical high forest occupy?
Only about 2% of the total land area but accounts for more than 90% of the total timber supply.
What are the four forest storeys in tropical high forests?
Emergent, upper canopy, middle storey, and lower stratum trees
How tall can emergent trees grow?
They can grow over 50m tall with some species like Entandrophragma cylindricum reaching 59m with girths up to 17m.
What is the height range of upper canopy trees?
Trees in the upper canopy typically reach heights of over 30m.
What are the main uses of forest products in human economy?
Wood for timber, poles, panels, pulp for paper making, fuel, chemicals, and animals
What percentage of wood utilization in Tropical Africa is for fuelwood?
More than 90% of the total volume of wood utilized is for fuelwood.
What are the primary uses of fuelwood in rural communities?
Cooking, space warming, local brewing, baking industries, processing agricultural products, treating tobacco, smoking fish
Name two tree species found useful for pulp production in Nigeria.
Musanga ceropioides and Sterculia setigera were tested and found to possess long fiber.
What is the mean annual temperature range in tropical forests?
27°C to 30°C (mean annual temperature with small range)
What is the typical relative humidity in tropical forests?
Not below 70% in the morning and 60% in the afternoon
How does forest cover prevent soil erosion?
By converting rain drops to intercepted water and stem flow, which flows slowly along the soil surface
What is the role of forest cover in watershed management?
Prevents soil erosion, prevents siltation of dams, enhances water purity, reduces water treatment costs
How does forest cover maintain soil quality?
Improves water seepage, maintains water table, enhances soil organism activity, aids humus formation and soil aeration
