Theory question 108
VegetationUsing specific examples, describe how each of the following factors affect the vegetation of Africa (a) Rainfall (b) Altitude (c) Soil type
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(a) Heavy rain all year gives dense evergreen rainforest (Zaire Basin, Guinea coast); seasonal rain gives savanna with tall grass and scattered trees (Sudan, East Africa); very low rain gives desert scrub (Sahara, Kalahari); winter rain gives Mediterranean vegetation (Cape, North Africa).
(b) Temperature falls with height, so vegetation changes upwards from forest to montane forest, bamboo, grassland and alpine plants on Kilimanjaro, Mt Kenya, Ethiopian highlands, Jos Plateau.
(c) Fertile, deep soils support dense forest or crops; poor sandy or lateritic soils support grassland or scrub; waterlogged soils support swamp and mangrove (Niger Delta); salty soils support salt-tolerant plants.
Name a place for each effect.