NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

UNIVERSITY VILLAGE, PLOT 91, CASDASTRAL ZONE, NNAMDI AZIKIWE EXPRESS WAY, JABI, ABUJA.
FACULTY OF SCIENCES
JUNE/JULY 2017 EXAMINATION

COURSE CODE: BIO 308

COURSE TITLE: BIOGEOGRAPHY

TIME ALLOWED: 2 Hours

INTRUCTION: QUESTION ONE IS COMPULSORY AND ANY OTHER THREE QUESTIONS.

1. a. Discuss what you understand by Biogeography (6marks).

b. Give reasons why biogeography can beconsidered to be a part of physical geography? (2marks).

c. List the three main fields of biogeography? Explain each of these fields.(9marks)

d. Highlight the principles of animal distribution (5marks)

e. . Floristic regions of the world are grouped into six kingdoms. Mention these kingdoms. (3marks).

2. a. Mention thesix Zoogeographic provinces globally (3marks).

b. Discuss the concept of “Island Biogeography”. (10marks).

c.Identify any four factors that influence“Island Biogeography”.(2marks).

3. a. Outline the common characteristics of tropical trees (3marks).

b. State any four features that differentiate tropical trees from that of the temperate forest?(2marks).

c. Mention six (6)tropical types of faunas;outline their features.(6marks)

d. Differentiate between tropic and temperate regions (4marks)

4. a. Discuss the relationship between climate and vegetation. (5marks).

b. Briefly explain the interaction between climate and vegetation in Sahara/Sahel region. (5marks).

c. Outline the relationship between climate and vegetation using Nigeria as a case study (5marks).

5. a. Briefly, outline the relationship between soil types and vegetation.(5marks).

b. Different types of vegetations give rise to different forms of organic matter in soils.Mention the five (5)different soil processes involved and the relative defining soil characteristics respectively. (5marks)

c.Explainhow the humus contents of soils affect the growth of plants. (5marks)