AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE LESSON NOTES WEEK 8: Forest J S 2 3^RD TERM

SUBJECT: Agricultural Science

CLASS: JSS 2

WEEK: 8

TOPIC: Forest

PERIOD: 1 & 2

DURATION: 40 minutes per period

THEME: Basic Concepts of Agriculture

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

Define a forest.
State types of forests.
List forest resources and uses.

KEY VOCABULARY WORDS:

Forest
Timber
Wildlife
Reserved forest

RESOURCES & MATERIALS:

Map showing forest zones
Samples of forest products

BUILDING BACKGROUND:

Ask: “What do you see when you go to the village or forest area?” Let students name trees or animals.

CONTENT DETAILS:

PERIOD 1 – Meaning and Types

A forest is a large area with many trees and animals.
Types:
- Rainforest
- Savanna forest
- Mangrove forest
- Forest reserve

1. Rainforest

Definition:
Rainforests are dense, evergreen forests found in areas with high rainfall throughout the year.

Characteristics:

High annual rainfall (over 2000 mm per year).
Warm temperatures year-round (average 25–30°C).
Thick vegetation with tall trees forming a canopy.
High biodiversity – home to numerous plant and animal species.
Poor soil fertility due to rapid nutrient uptake by plants.

Examples:

The Amazon Rainforest (South America)
The Congo Basin Rainforest (Africa)
Cross River Rainforest (Nigeria)

Importance:

Acts as the “lungs of the Earth” by producing oxygen.
Regulates global climate.
Source of medicine, food, and raw materials.

2. Savanna Forest

Definition:
Savanna forest (or woodland savanna) is a mixed ecosystem characterized by grasslands with scattered trees.

Characteristics:

Moderate rainfall (600–1200 mm annually).
Distinct wet and dry seasons.
Trees are widely spaced, allowing sunlight to reach the ground.
Fire-resistant vegetation due to frequent bushfires.
Found between tropical rainforests and desert regions.

Examples:

Guinea Savanna and Sudan Savanna (Nigeria)

Importance:

Supports agriculture and grazing.
Habitat for wildlife (e.g., elephants, antelopes).
Source of firewood and timber.

3. Mangrove Forest

Definition:
Mangrove forests are coastal forests found in tidal areas with brackish water (a mix of salt and fresh water).

Characteristics:

Found in tropical and subtropical coastal regions.
Dominated by mangrove trees with aerial roots (e.g., red mangrove).
Soil is waterlogged, muddy, and saline.
Acts as a buffer between land and sea, reducing erosion.

Examples:

Niger Delta Mangrove (Nigeria)
Sundarbans (India and Bangladesh)

Importance:

Protects coastlines from storms and erosion.
Breeding ground for fish and crustaceans.
Supports coastal biodiversity.

4. Forest Reserve

Definition:
A forest reserve is a protected area of forest set aside by the government to conserve biodiversity and prevent deforestation.

Characteristics:

Legally protected from indiscriminate logging or farming.
Managed by forest authorities or conservation agencies.
Can include different forest types (rainforest, savanna, etc.).
Often used for research, education, and eco-tourism.

Examples:

Omo Forest Reserve (Ogun State, Nigeria)
Oban Hills Forest Reserve (Cross River State, Nigeria)

Importance:

Conserves plant and animal species.
Supports environmental sustainability.
Helps in carbon sequestration and climate regulation.

Summary Table

Type of Forest	Location	Rainfall	Key Features	Importance
Rainforest	Tropical zones	Very High	Dense canopy, biodiversity	Oxygen, medicine, climate
Savanna Forest	Tropical dry zones	Moderate	Scattered trees, grasslands	Grazing, wildlife, timber
Mangrove Forest	Coastal/tidal areas	Variable	Aerial roots, brackish water	Coastal protection, fisheries
Forest Reserve	Any region (protected)	Varies	Legally protected, regulated use	Conservation, education