NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

UNIVERSITY VILLAGE, PLOT 91, CASDASTRAL ZONE, NNAMDI AZIKIWE EXPRESS WAY, JABI, ABUJA.
FACULTY OF SCIENCES
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016 EXAMINATION

COURSE CODE:           BIO 308

COURSE TITLE:            BIOGEOGRAPHY

TIME ALLOWED:         2 Hours

INSTRUCTION:            QUESTION ONE IS COMPULSORY AND ANY OTHER THREE QUESTIONS

 1    a. Define and discuss the term: Biogeography                                                                          6marks

b. What is biogeography considered to be part of physical geography?                                    2marks

c. What are the three main fields of biogeography? Briefly explain each of these fields.        9marks

       d.  Give a brief account of the historical development of biogeography                                   8marks

2     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 interaction between climate and vegetation using Nigeria as a case study.      5marks

 3    a. Briefly, outline the relationship between soil types and vegetation.                                     6marks

b. Different types of vegetation 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    10marks

c. Explain how the humus contents of soils affect the growth of plants.                                    5marks

4     a. List four factors affecting dispersal of animals and plants. Discuss each of these factors   9marks

 b. State six principles of animal distribution                                                                              3marks

 c. Floristic regions of the world are grouped into six kingdom. Mention any five of these kingdoms. 3marks

5     a. Mention the six Zoogeographic provinces?                                                                            3marks

b. Briefly explain the concept of “Island Biogeography”.                                                           10marks

c. State the theory of “Island Biogeography”.                                                                             2marks

6     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 faunas; Outline their features.                                                        9marks

 d. Differentiate between tropic and temperate regions                                                           4marks