Nigerian lowland forests

AT0123 Afrotropic Tropical & Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests 67043 km²

The Nigerian lowland forests is a tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecoregion located in the Afrotropic biogeographic realm, covering sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, spanning approximately 67,043 km². Classified under the WWF ecoregion code AT0123, this region represents a distinct ecological community shaped by its unique combination of climate, geography, and evolutionary history.

Climate and Vegetation

This ecoregion experiences warm year-round with high annual rainfall, typically exceeding 2,000 mm. The dominant vegetation consists of dense, multi-layered canopy of broadleaf evergreen trees. These conditions create the foundation for the ecological communities found within the Nigerian lowland forests.

Ecological Significance

These forests are the most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems on Earth, hosting an extraordinary density of plant and animal species per unit area. Epiphytes, lianas, and a rich understorey characterise the complex vertical structure. The Nigerian lowland forests contributes to the broader biodiversity patterns of the Afrotropic realm.

Geographic Distribution

The Nigerian lowland forests extends across Benin and Nigeria. This geographic range places it within the Afrotropic realm, one of the eight major biogeographic divisions of the world.

Notable Species

The Nigerian lowland forests supports a range of wildlife, including Anil de pasto (Indigofera suffruticosa), Aroma (Dichrostachys cinerea), Bay rum tree (Pimenta racemosa), Beauty Of The Night (Mirabilis jalapa), bell bauhinia (Bauhinia tomentosa), Black mimosa (Mimosa pigra), calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides), Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea), and 42 more species.

Conservation

Like many tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecosystems, the Nigerian lowland forests faces threats from deforestation, agricultural expansion, logging, and climate change. Conservation efforts in this ecoregion focus on habitat preservation, sustainable land management, and protecting corridors that connect fragmented habitat patches.