Biodiversity in Nigeria
Nigeria’s biodiversity has affected the country and its people in a variety of ways. A big part of what has shaped Nigeria is the oil delta in the south, oil has also caused some possible environmental issues in that area. Although tourism has not been a big interest in Nigeria it is starting to take shape in a few different ways. Nigeria’s natural resources and landscapes have also shaped some of Nigeria’s past and are shaping its future as well.
In the past Nigeria’s natural resources made Nigeria a great trading partner. When the first Portuguese traders came the Nigerian people traded oil, cloth, pepper, and ivory. The trading also led to the trading of people, slaves to the New World. Although in the past, the Nigerian people cannot deny that the slave trade had and has had a significant effect on their culture. Along with trading Nigeria is known for the art, especially their wood carvings. These wood carvings use the wood from trees that grow in Nigeria. There are wood carvings that have been found that date back to some of the earliest civilizations of Nigeria. There are still many well-known artists in Nigeria that are known for the wood carvings today.
Oil. Oil is the number one natural resource in Nigeria. There was tons of oil that could have made the country and its people very rich. There was a time when the government had a lot of money, but they spent it widely and unwisely. When the world recession hit the money ran out and oil production dropped. This left Nigerians where they are today, with 70 percent of them living below poverty. During the boom of oil production farming was neglected and the country now has to import food.
Another big export is palm oil. In the south west where oil palm trees are grown, there used to be a diverse number of trees and plants. This diversity of plants and trees has been severely reduced to make room for the oil palm trees. The oil palm trees bring in more money, although the environmental repercussions of this are not clear it is obviously hurting that areas biodiversity.
While this is going on in the South, Northen Fulani people herd their cattle and wander the landscape. The northern part of Nigeria is made up of dry flat savanna with tropical grass. This area has great conditions for cow herding and taking care of livestock. This is what the Fulani people are known for, herders of cattle.
Tourism is a new aspect to Nigeria that they are now developing. There are magnificent mountains that are in the East; unfortunately they are hard to reach. Hopefully with new developments these mountains will be more accessible to tourists one day. There are more accessible natural beauties in Nigeria. There is an area where the Niger River and the Benue River meet to form a lake, and there is also Lake Chad which fluctuates in size. The most intriguing tourist destination must be the Yankari Game Reserve. This reserve is home to waterbucks, baboons, elephants, lions, and hippos; all of which can be seen by tourists from a jeep, a type of safari.
The natural land and biodiversity of Nigeria offers great potential to the country and its people. Hopefully with new interest in tourism and new efficient ways to use the land and its resources Nigeria can reach its potential and its people will rise with it.
Resource:
Ismail, Y. (2001). Nigeria. Milwaukee, Wisconsin : Gareth Stevens Publishing
In the past Nigeria’s natural resources made Nigeria a great trading partner. When the first Portuguese traders came the Nigerian people traded oil, cloth, pepper, and ivory. The trading also led to the trading of people, slaves to the New World. Although in the past, the Nigerian people cannot deny that the slave trade had and has had a significant effect on their culture. Along with trading Nigeria is known for the art, especially their wood carvings. These wood carvings use the wood from trees that grow in Nigeria. There are wood carvings that have been found that date back to some of the earliest civilizations of Nigeria. There are still many well-known artists in Nigeria that are known for the wood carvings today.
Oil. Oil is the number one natural resource in Nigeria. There was tons of oil that could have made the country and its people very rich. There was a time when the government had a lot of money, but they spent it widely and unwisely. When the world recession hit the money ran out and oil production dropped. This left Nigerians where they are today, with 70 percent of them living below poverty. During the boom of oil production farming was neglected and the country now has to import food.
Another big export is palm oil. In the south west where oil palm trees are grown, there used to be a diverse number of trees and plants. This diversity of plants and trees has been severely reduced to make room for the oil palm trees. The oil palm trees bring in more money, although the environmental repercussions of this are not clear it is obviously hurting that areas biodiversity.
While this is going on in the South, Northen Fulani people herd their cattle and wander the landscape. The northern part of Nigeria is made up of dry flat savanna with tropical grass. This area has great conditions for cow herding and taking care of livestock. This is what the Fulani people are known for, herders of cattle.
Tourism is a new aspect to Nigeria that they are now developing. There are magnificent mountains that are in the East; unfortunately they are hard to reach. Hopefully with new developments these mountains will be more accessible to tourists one day. There are more accessible natural beauties in Nigeria. There is an area where the Niger River and the Benue River meet to form a lake, and there is also Lake Chad which fluctuates in size. The most intriguing tourist destination must be the Yankari Game Reserve. This reserve is home to waterbucks, baboons, elephants, lions, and hippos; all of which can be seen by tourists from a jeep, a type of safari.
The natural land and biodiversity of Nigeria offers great potential to the country and its people. Hopefully with new interest in tourism and new efficient ways to use the land and its resources Nigeria can reach its potential and its people will rise with it.
Resource:
Ismail, Y. (2001). Nigeria. Milwaukee, Wisconsin : Gareth Stevens Publishing
Palm oil trees
Nigerian wood carving