Ecological aspects of the Jos Plateau, Nigeria

The Jos Plateau has an area of about 6 700 km(2), lies at 1 280 m above sea level, and contains approximately 1 million inhabitants. Annual rainfall averaged 137 cm in the period 1965-68; in 1969 rainfall totalled 170 cm and lasted for a month longer than usual.The rural population is engaged in agriculture, tin mining, and cattle grazing. Animal life consists chiefly of domestic species; there are few large wild animals. Wild primates are apparently rare, although baboons and red patas monkeys are sometimes seen. Tree cover is restricted to small patches along streams and some hillsides; there are euphorbia hedges and scattered trees in rural communities and along roadsides.