Theory question 111
Geography of Africa(a) On a sketch map of Africa, mark and name (i) one forest belt (ii) one tropical grassland belt (iii) one major town in each belt
(b) Highlight the characteristics of any one of the vegetation belts shown on your map
(c) Describe the importance of the vegetation belt chosen in (b) above to man
Show the model answer
(a) Sketch map with key: tropical rain forest (Congo basin/Guinea coast, town e.g. Kisangani or Lagos/Ibadan); savanna (Sudan/Guinea savanna, town e.g. Kano)
(b) Rain forest: tall evergreen trees (up to 60 m) in three layers; continuous canopy; broad leaves with drip tips; buttress roots; many species mixed together; climbers, epiphytes; sparse undergrowth where canopy is thick (Savanna: tall grass with scattered trees; deciduous, drought-resistant trees, thick bark; grass dries in dry season)
(c) Forest: hardwood timber (iroko, mahogany, obeche); tree crops (cocoa, oil palm, rubber); food, fuel, medicine; game; tourism and protection of soil
Keep the characteristics and the importance to the same belt.