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O V E R V I E W O F P A R K
S I N N I G E R I A |
Climate is the major influence on the vegetation found in the National Parks. The climate in Northern Nigeria differs from that in the South. In the North, there is a distinct hot and dry season; temperature can reach up to 450C between the months of March and May. Some parts of Chad Basin National Park, for example receive only about 400mm of rainfall or even less, positioning it in the sahel zone. There is one long rainy season from late May to September of every year.
Southward, rainfall gradually increases and vegetation becomes lush. Thorny scrubs give way to Savanna grassland. Thus part of Gashaka-Gumti, Kainji Lake and Old Oyo National Parks fall largely within the Guinea Savanna Zone.
Towards the coast, temperatures averages 50C to 100C (or less). Here the rains fall mostly heavily between April and July, peaking in July and September. Rainfall in Cross River and Okomu National Parks, for instance can exceed 400mm, and supports the growth of tropical rainforest.
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