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GES 105 > Chap 7- Tropical Forest Resources and Sustainable Development > Flashcards

Chap 7- Tropical Forest Resources and Sustainable Development Flashcards

1
Q

What are tropical forests?

A

Vegetation types including evergreen forests in tropical lowlands

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2
Q

How many tree species are found in Malaysia vs Nigeria?

A

Malaysia has about 2000 different tree species while Nigeria has about 560.

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3
Q

What is the difference between major and minor forest products?

A

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.

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4
Q

What are the latitude boundaries of tropical forests?

A

Tropical forests generally occur between latitude 24°S and 24°N, though boundaries aren’t rigid especially in Indo-China and Australia.

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5
Q

Name the four main tropical forest regions.

A
  1. African Tropical Forest Region 2. American Tropical Forest Region 3. Indo-Malaysian Tropical Forest Region 4. Australian Tropical Forest Region
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6
Q

What factors have reduced tropical forest areas in the last 50 years?

A

Forest clearing for agriculture, urbanization, road development, and improved exploitation technology.

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7
Q

What is the JARRI project and its significance?

A

It’s a multinational project in the Amazon that represents a massive assault on the tropical forest, demonstrating large-scale forest conversion.

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8
Q

What are the two prevailing winds that determine Nigeria’s seasons?

A
  1. North-East trade winds (cold, dust-laden, brings harmattan and dry season) 2. South-Westerly winds (moisture-laden, warm, brings rain and wet season)
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9
Q

What is the minimum annual rainfall required for rain forest in Southern Nigeria?

A

1400mm or more annual rainfall is required.

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10
Q

What are the three main tropical high forest types in Nigeria?

A
  1. Mangrove forest and coastal vegetation 2. Fresh water swamp forest 3. Lowland rain forest
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11
Q

What is the dominant tree species in mangrove forests?

A

Red mangrove (Rhizophora racemosa) whose bark is a source of tannin used in leather and plywood industries.

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12
Q

What percentage of Nigeria’s total land area does tropical high forest occupy?

A

Only about 2% of the total land area but accounts for more than 90% of the total timber supply.

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13
Q

What are the four forest storeys in tropical high forests?

A

Emergent, upper canopy, middle storey, and lower stratum trees

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14
Q

How tall can emergent trees grow?

A

They can grow over 50m tall with some species like Entandrophragma cylindricum reaching 59m with girths up to 17m.

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15
Q

What is the height range of upper canopy trees?

A

Trees in the upper canopy typically reach heights of over 30m.

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16
Q

What are the main uses of forest products in human economy?

A

Wood for timber, poles, panels, pulp for paper making, fuel, chemicals, and animals

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17
Q

What percentage of wood utilization in Tropical Africa is for fuelwood?

A

More than 90% of the total volume of wood utilized is for fuelwood.

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18
Q

What are the primary uses of fuelwood in rural communities?

A

Cooking, space warming, local brewing, baking industries, processing agricultural products, treating tobacco, smoking fish

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19
Q

Name two tree species found useful for pulp production in Nigeria.

A

Musanga ceropioides and Sterculia setigera were tested and found to possess long fiber.

20
Q

What is the mean annual temperature range in tropical forests?

A

27°C to 30°C (mean annual temperature with small range)

21
Q

What is the typical relative humidity in tropical forests?

A

Not below 70% in the morning and 60% in the afternoon

22
Q

How does forest cover prevent soil erosion?

A

By converting rain drops to intercepted water and stem flow, which flows slowly along the soil surface

23
Q

What is the role of forest cover in watershed management?

A

Prevents soil erosion, prevents siltation of dams, enhances water purity, reduces water treatment costs

24
Q

How does forest cover maintain soil quality?

A

Improves water seepage, maintains water table, enhances soil organism activity, aids humus formation and soil aeration

25
Q

What tree species are commonly used for shelter belts against desertification?

A

Eucalyptus species, Azadirachta indica, and Acacia species

26
Q

What is agroforestry?

A

A practice where agriculture and silviculture are conducted side by side on the same piece of land without one necessarily quitting for the other.

27
Q

Why did interest in farm forestry decline in temperate zones?

A

Following the demise of the small family farm, as trees, crops, and animals became separately managed at large scales

28
Q

Why has agroforestry seen a resurgence in tropical regions?

A

Due to the failure of large agriculture and forestry monocultures in lesser developed world and concerns about tropical forest destruction

29
Q

What are three key forms of agroforestry?

A

Agro-silviculture, silvo-pastoral, and agro-pastoral

30
Q

What is the average annual rainfall in tropical forest regions?

A

Between 2000mm and 2500mm

31
Q

How much timber did Nigeria produce in 1971?

A

About 2.8 million m³ of roundwood equivalent to sawn timber

32
Q

What are examples of emergent tree species?

A

Lophira alata, Pitadeniastrum africanum, Khaya spp, Entandrophragma spp

33
Q

What are examples of upper canopy tree species?

A

Holoptelea grandis, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Guarea cedrata, Khaya ivorensis

34
Q

What is the height range of middle storey trees?

A

10-15m in height

35
Q

What comprises the lower stratum of tropical forests?

A

Shrubs, young seedlings of big trees, and herbaceous plants

36
Q

What are the main non-timber forest products (NTFP)?

A

Latex, rubber, essential oils, resins, gums, incense, spices, medicinal extracts, and tannins

37
Q

How does forest litter help prevent soil erosion?

A

It prevents the carrying away of soil particles at the forest floor

38
Q

What is the significance of breathing roots (pneumatophores)?

A

They enhance mangroves’ ability to reclaim coastal land forming chikoko soil

39
Q

Name common tree species in fresh water swamp forests.

A

Mitragyna ciliata, Brachystegia spp, Raphia spp, Uapaca spp, Cleistaphois patens

40
Q

What percentage of Nigeria’s timber came from South-Western high forests up to 1976?

A

Over 80% of timber for export and internal use

41
Q

What are the primary uses of wood in rural industries?

A

Processing agricultural products, treating tobacco, smoking fish, bakeries, potteries

42
Q

What is the width of the lowland rain forest belt in Nigeria?

A

About 250-300km wide from west to south-east

43
Q

Why is the tropical forest considered a complex biological community?

A

It has an unparalleled diversity and interdependence of its component members especially flora and fauna

44
Q

What environmental conditions make tropical forests unique?

A

High temperature, high rainfall, high humidity, and consistent soil moisture throughout the year

45
Q

How do tropical forests contribute to water conservation?

A

By maintaining water table, preventing erosion, and ensuring water purity

46
Q

What caused the 300% increase in forest conversion rate in the last 30-40 years?

A

Increasing demand for land cultivation, oil pipelines, and improved exploitation technology

GES 105 (10 decks)

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