this topic is about vegetations of arica

this slides is vegetation of africa

1. Assignment : VEGETATION OF AFRICA Teacher name : TEACHER ISMAIL Lecture: AFRICAN GEOGRAPHY Group members: 1. MOHAMED ABDIKADIR 2. SADIIQ GURAY 3. NUSAYMO DAAUUD 4. ABDIRAHMAN ABDULKADIR

2. 4.0 VEGETATION OF AFRICA 4.1 Introduction Plant and animal life distribution and the different climatic/soil belts are closely related. The vegetation of Africa is affected by following factors. Relief, Soils, Climate, Man, Influence of the sea tec.   4.1.1 Tropical Rain forest: This vegetation develops in low land areas. It is found in Congo (Zaire) basin and along the West coast of Africa with its widest in Sierra Leone. It is also found in a narrow belt along the Southeastern coast south from the equator. Madagascar has a unique rain forest.  

3. 4.1.2 Characteristics of rain forests Tall trees of over 30metres. Straight stems Broad leaves. Evergreen. Branches divided into three layers. Buttress roots to support the heavy trunks   Sample Questions Describe the features of tropical rain forests Describe the characteristics of tropical rain forests.    

4. 4.1.3 Advantages of Tropical rain forests Provide timber/bough for construction purposes Habitats for wild life Provide medicinal materials e.g. herbs and honey Attract rainfall Regulate (control) temperatures Tourist attractions Income for the local people Hunting and fruit gathering site Catchment area for many rivers e.g. Congo, Niger

5. 4.1.4 Disadvantages of Tropical rain forests Too much rains block human activities Problem of pests and diseases eg malaria & Ebola Wild animals are dangerous to man and farming activities Soils are easily washed Obstruct transportation e.g. roads are damaged by the rains Hard to construct houses Difficult to fell trees due to lack of pure stand Encourage political instability    

6. 4.2.0 Savanna Vegetation This type of vegetation is found close to the tropical rain forest. It is divided in to Savanna woodland and Savanna grassland vegetation:- 4.2.1 Savannah woodland vegetation Savanna woodland is found very close to tropical rainforest vegetation. 4.2.2 Characteristics Tall trees of about 20 meters in height Lack of pure stand Broad leaves Seasonal shedding of leaves especially in dry season The canopy disappears There is grass as undergrowth The grass is 3metres

7. 4.2.3 Savannah grassland vegetation It is the Savanna between the woodland and the Sahel/Semiarid/steppe vegetation. Much of it is grassland vegetation. 4.2.4 Characteristics of Savanna grassland. Dominated by grass The grass is about 2metres It has umbrella shaped trees Most trees are deciduous trees (shed of leaves) The grass dries and burns off in dry season The height of the trees reduce as one moves towards the semi-arid vegetation Shrubs begin to appear towards the desert Cactus trees are common towards the arid vegetation The leaves of the trees are moderate in size The trees are about 10-15 meters in height  

8. 4.2.5 Advantages of Savanna vegetation It provides polls and fiber for construction purposes It is habitat for wildlife. Gives beautiful scenery for tourist attraction Provides pasture for animals both domestic and wild There is fruit gathering Allows arable farming Herbs for treating diseases Is a hunting area for local people Burning allows new grass to grow for animals

9. 4.2.6 Disadvantages of Savanna vegetation Rain fall is seasonal thus poor pasture for animals It harbors dangerous wild life, which affects man and his activities Burning of vegetation is climatic hazard The grass land has no much direct value The grass is always fire prone Burning tends to drive away the animals 4.3 Temperate Forest: This vegetation is poorly represented in Africa. It is only found on the lower slopes of the Ethiopian highlands and elsewhere on the highlands of considerable elevation and rainfall. The vegetation is mainly montane vegetation.

10. 4.4 Mediterranean Woodland These are evergreen trees and shrubs adapted to the hot dry season and mild wet season. In North West Africa, the hilly belts support forests of evergreen oak, including cork oak and cedar, although they are now much reduced by clearing and grazing. Evergreen shrubs with hard and usually small leaves are common as growth is slow but continuous throughout the year. The vegetation in the Southwest corner is similar. 4.5 Mangrove Swamps This vegetation is found at the inter-tidal flats of the coastlines within the tropics. It is majorly found on the coastal areas of West Africa and parts of East Africa.  

11. 4.6. Temperate Grassland or the high Veld This is found in the veld areas of South Africa. Characterized by short grass and plants adapted to a brief growing season but there are considerable differences due to altitude. It is by no means adapted everywhere to cultivation, but maize, tobacco and temperate cereals are grown 4.7 Semi-desert and desert Areas further north, the Savanna degenerate into semi-arid and then desert. This is the environment of the Sahel ranging from thorn, wooded grassland to tussock grasses with large bare patches of bare earth between. Human and animals overpopulate the semi-arid areas and both take their toll on the environment. As pasture is destroyed through overgrazing and cultivation, the desert advances southward further restricting populations and increasing densities in a vicious circle of desertification

12. A MAP OF AFRICA VEGETATION