Theory question 206
Vegetation(a) Describe the characteristics of the tropical grassland vegetation
(b) Outline the economic values of this vegetation type to the inhabitants of the region
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(a) Tall grasses (1-3 m, e.g. elephant grass) with scattered trees; trees short, umbrella-shaped, deciduous; thick bark and long roots to resist fire and drought (baobab, acacia, shea, locust bean); grass green in the wet season, dry and brown in the dry season; trees fewer and grasses shorter towards the desert; gallery forests along rivers
(b) Grazing for cattle, sheep and goats (Fulani, Masai); grain and cash crops – millet, sorghum, maize, groundnut, cotton; game reserves and tourism (Yankari, Serengeti); shea butter, locust beans, gum arabic; fuel wood and building materials (thatch); hunting
Separate features of the grass from features of the trees.