This zone is made up mainly of grasses and includes;
- Guinea Savanna
- Sudan savanna
- Sahel Savanna
Guinea Savanna:
Southern Guinea Savanna:
Location: Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Enugu and Ebonyi States.
Characteristics of Southern Guinea Savanna:
1. This is the largest biome in Nigeria.
2. Rainfall is moderate in this biome between 1000mm – 1500mm per annum.
3. Grasses are usually tall and predominant.
4. Trees are tall, few and scattered within the biotic community.
5. Trees are usually deciduous (deciduous – shedding their leaves annually).
6. Important plants include shea butter, locust beans and Isoberlinia doka.
7. Common animals include Lions, Zebra, Leopards Antelopes.
Sudan Savanna (Northern Guinea Savanna):
Location: Kaduna, Plateau, Taraba, Niger, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kano.
Characteristics of Northern Guinea Savanna:
1. Mean annual rainfall is low between 500 – 1000mm
2. Short deciduous trees and numerous types of grass are common.
3. Trees have thick barks while others have thorns. Some wither during the dry season and sprout during the rainy season.
4. Common animals include lions, leopards, snakes, lizards, and antelopes.
5. Common plant species are Baobab, Acacia, Date palm, and Silk cotton plants.
Sahel Savanna:
Location: This biotic community is found in the following states: Yobe, Jigawa, Kano and Borno states.
Characteristics of Sahel Savanna:
1. Mean annual rainfall is about 629mm. Very low and variable.
2. Drought is common in this zone.
3. The relative humidity is low.
4. The weather is usually very hot.
5. It has very short and scanty grasses.
6. There are short and tough shrubs or trees.
7. Common plant species include Acacia, Gum Arabic and Date palm.
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