Types of Vegetation in Uganda

Factors that influence vegetation distribution

Influences of vegetation on human activities

Uses of Vegetation

Ways of Conserving Vegetation

Human activities that affect Vegetation

End of topic exercise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In primary four, you learnt about different types of vegetation in our district. Vegetation means plant cover of an area.

Types of vegetation in Uganda.

Natural vegetation includes forests, swamps, shrubs and grasses. Planted vegetation includes; forests, grass, flowers and crops.

Forests

A forest is a large area of trees growing close together. Forests Usually grow in places which receive a lot of rainfall throughout the year.

Identify two natural forests in Uganda?

What is the biggest natural forest in Uganda?

Trees found in natural forests are of different species. They provide hard wood timber. Examples of such trees include:- Ebony, mahogany, "mvule", Musizi and African walnut. Natural forests in Uganda are found in different regions. In the west there is Budongo, Bugoma, in Central there is Mabira, Ssese Island forests, - In the South there is Marabigambo, Bwindi impenetrable forest, Mg'ahinga, Maramagambo and Kashoha - kitoma. In the East there is Mountain Elgon, forest reserve.

Rain forests have various plants and animals species. These forests are dense and found mostly near the equator. Natural forests have tall and evergreen trees throughout the year.

Planted Vegetation

This type of vegetation is planted by people. This include crops, forests, grass and flowers. Examples of planted forests include: - Lendu in Nebbi, Maguga

in Rukungiri, Butamira in Jinja, Mutai in Jinja and Itwara in Kyenjojo district.

Characteristics of planted forests

Trees in planted forests are mainly of the same species. They mature almost at the same time. These trees take the same period to be ready for harvesting. Tree seedlings are planted in nursery beds before transplanting them. After a certain period of about two to three months, they are transplanted to the permanent garden. Trees grown in planted forests include: Cyprus, cypress, pines, conifers end Eucalyptus. They provide soft wood.

Types of natural vegetation in Uganda
Savanna (grasslands)

Most parts of Uganda are covered with Savannah Vegetation. Savannah comprises grasses and deciduous trees which are dominant in this type of vegetation lone. Trees are less dense and scattered. Grasses are tall in areas of higher rainfall, more sparse in areas with less rainfall. The commonest trees in savanna vegetation include; baobabs

and acacia. Savannah is mainly found in Arua, Gulu, Maracha, Sembabule and Nakasongola.

Savannah vegetation

There are trees which have small leaves, waxy and thorny like. They are mainly found in semi arid areas such as North Eastern Uganda. Some of the vegetation in this area usually dries up during the long dry season but germinates again during the rain season.

Shrubs.

This type of vegetation grows in areas which receive very little rainfall such as semi arid zones. Trees are short and thorny with waxy leaves which are very small. Shrub vegetafion is mainly found in North Eastern parts of Uganda.

Swamp vegetation

Swamps are areas of muddy, watery land covered with trees and bushes. In Uganda many places have shallow water swamps. These are usually found in areas where soil stays moist or water covered for only part of the year. The common type of vegetation include papyrus, water lillies and trees.

Swamp vegetation

Much of the swamp vegetation is found at lake Kyoga shores, Sezibwa and Katonga river banks. The commonest vegetation in swampy areas is papyrus, palm trees and reeds.

Characteristics of savanna vegetation

•Trees lose their leaves during drought period to reduce the rate of transpiration. While others are drought resistant. In areas that receive little rainfall the grass is short with scattered trees.

TYPES OF PLANTED VEGETATION

Crops.

Crops are planted vegetation. Most -people in Uganda depend on crop farming. They grow crops mainly for food, as a source of income and fodder for animals. People grow both traditional and non traditional cash crops. Traditional cash crops include; coffee, cotton, tea, sugarcanes and tobacco.

Non - traditional crops include, maize, beans, rice, ground nuts, potatoes, bananas and cassava.

Flowers.

A flower is a part of a plant from which the seeds or fruits develop. People grow different types of flowers. They grow flowers in their compounds for beauty. Others grow flowers, to get income. Flowers are sold locally and to outside countries. The growing of flowers is called floriculture. Flowers are perishable goods. People use air transport to export them to outside countries. Many homes, schools, hotels beaches, towns and cities have beautiful, flower gardens.

Factors that influence vegetation distribution

We have various types of vegetation in Uganda which grow in different parts of the country. We shall look at the factors that explain why vegetation varies from one place to another. The reasons that bring the variations include:- rainfall, fertile soils, altitude, land forms and human activities.

Rainfall

Places that receive heavy rainfall throughout the year have ever green vegetation (rain forests), yet places which receive very little rainfall have scattered trees and tall grass. Places which are very hot and dry have vegetation which is adapted to dry conditions.

Altitude

Temperature tends to decrease with increase in altitude. Highland and mountainous areas experience cool temperatures. Places found at different heights, have different types of vegetation. For example savanna vegetation dominates at about 1000m above sea level. Rain forests follow at 2000m, bamboo forests at 3000m and health and moorland is found at 4000m and beyond. On the top of the mountain there is ice and snow. Look at the diagram on page 21 again and study the types of vegetation found on the mountain.

Fertile soils.

Fertile soils support the growth of vegetation in an area. They are rich in nutrients that favour the growing of thick vegetation such as forests and crops while soils which are barren usually have less grass and scattered thorny trees.

 

 

Human activities

People carry out different activities which influence vegetation distribution. These include, deforestation (cutting down trees), overgrazing, and draining swamps. As the population has been growing over time, the demand for forest products has also increased. People destroy vegetation because they need timber, wood fuel, more land for settlement, agriculture and industrial development.

Identify any two human activities that affect vegetation in your local area?

Different ways vegetation influences human activities

The type of vegetation that occurs in an area determines human settlement. Therefore, human activities vary from one place to another.

Forests

The tropical rainforests occur in tropical areas of heavy rainfall. They have abundant species of wildlife and vegetation. Forests are dense and provide hard wood timber used for making furniture and building houses.

Rain forests act as habitat for wild animals for example Mgahinga and Bwindi
Impenetrable national parks which attract tourists. Forests create employment for people who work as forest rangers while others have set up sawmills to process        
wood. In many districts such as Kaliro, Kamuli, Mukono and Masindi, people deal
in wood harvesting and saw milling.

 

Savanna (grasslands)

Some savanna areas experience long dry periods with short wet seasons. People who live in dry savanna regions usually practice animal rearing particularly pastoralists. Those who live in wet savanna areas grow various crops such as cotton, maize, coffee, beans, bananas, groundnuts, and cassava.

Woody vegetation attracts a variety of animal species. Some game parks are located in the savanna region because there is plenty of grass and favourable climate.

Mountain vegetation

Presently, most of the forest cover under protection is located on the upper slopes of mountains and highlands. The slopes of some mountains have fertile volcanic soils which support farming. They also experience cool climate which favours animal rearing.

Forests on the mountains provide wood for timber and wood fuel. On the top of mountains, it is too cold and rocky, no crops can be grown there. Mountain vegetation act as a home for different animal species and birds for example Mt. Elgon national park and Rwenzori national park.

Swamps Vegetation

Swamps are also known as wetlands. Uganda's wetlands can be categorised as papyrus, swamp and swamp forests. They support many communities. They provide a variety of livelihood activities. For example in Bugiri, Butaleja and Iganga districts many people grow rice and yams in swamps. Others get papyrus to make craft materials such as mats, bags, and winnowing baskets. Some people catch lung fish from swamps especially during the rainy season which serves as a source of food and income. Examples of crafts made from swamp vegetation.

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uses of vegetation

Vegetation has many uses to human beings, animals and other living things. These include:-

Source of food.

Plants are the basic sources of food for people. Most of the food crops grown include; maize, sugarcane, wheat and rice among others. Some food crops are also sold in order to get money.

Source of herbal medicine

Plants of many types have roots, bark and leaves which are used to cure or treat different diseases. People can swallow that medicine in raw form or boil it first.

Source of employment

Forests create employment opportunities to both urban and rural people. People practice agro-forestry, burn- charcoal and others cut wood for timber. Some deal in timber as their main source of income.

Source of fodder

Fodder from the forests forms very important source of food for cattle and other animals during the dry season. There are many varieties of grasses, trees and shrubs that are nutritious for the animals. Vegetation attracts tourists who come to see the creatures that live there. Tourists pay money before they visit the forests. Trees provide oxygen for animals. They also absorb carbon dioxide

from animals. Vegetation especially forests influence rainfall formation. They playa part in the process involved in the formation of rain.

Habitats for wildlife

Forests are the natural habitat for wildlife. Wildlife has four basic requirements, food, cover, water and space. Therefore, there is need to conserve the existing forests.

Act as wind breaks

Trees/forests serve as wind breaks. They can withstand strong winds during rainy, hot and cold conditions, that can destroy buildings.

Source of wood fuel

Most people in Uganda depend on wood as their main source of fuel. Both rural and urban dwellers use firewood and charcoal for most of their cooking activities.

Ways of conserving vegetation.

Conservation refers to protection from destruction. Vegetation protection has become very important today due to the increasing demand for land for cultivation, settlement and wood fuel. The population has greatly increased in Uganda which has put vegetation in danger. However, vegetation can be conserved in the following ways:-

(i)   Encourage agricultural activities that have low effect on vegetation such as shade farming and harvesting non- wood forest products such as rubber, cork or medicinal plants.

(ii)  Teach people the uses of vegetation and dangers of clearing vegetation.

(iii)  Encourage them to avoid uncontrolled fires during the dry seasons.

(iv)  Encourage people to use alternative sources of energy such as solar, electricity, gas and paraffin. Protect existing forests and swamps.

(v)   Ensure that natural forests that exist are not destroyed for any purpose.

(vi)  Encourage planting trees, grass and flowers in school and home compounds. Grasses reduces soil erosion.

(vii)  Create foot paths and walk ways to protect grass and trees in towns, cities, homes and schools.        

(viii)  There should be careful cultivation of land on slopes. People who live in highland areas should practice terracing, contour ploughing,   grass and tree planting to reduce soil erosion. This helps to trap top soil   which can be washed away by rain.         

(ix)  We should find out which trees grow well in different areas, and how to prevent or cure diseases which attack them.

(x)   Re-afforestation and afforestation; Trees should be replanted in areas where deforestation has occurred.

Human activities that affect vegetation negatively

There are various human activities that have affected vegetation negatively. Competition for basic resources such as land, water and firewood is forcing many people in Uganda today to practice illegal activities that are leading to disappearance of vegetation. Mining of gold, petroleum oil or tin has also led to the destruction of vegetation in some areas.

 

Road and industrial building has led to destruction of large areas of vegetation for example, Namanve forest is no longer in existence.

Deforestation: several factors have led to deforestation for example, clearing land for agriculture, fuel wood cutting- and harvesting of wood products.

Vegetation is destroyed due to high demand for timber. People cut wood regardless of the size and maturity.

Overgrazing: Grazing many animals on a small piece of land leaves the ground bare thus exposing soil to agents of soil erosion.

In Uganda, pollution is caused by discharge of untreated industrial waste and release of sewage into water bodies. Pollution means something which makes the air, land and water dirty. Air pollution is caused by gasses, dust from industries, fumes from motor vehicles and smoke from bush burning.

Swamp drainage:
This is the removal of water from a wetland using different means such as digging
channels, infilling with murram or growing of water demanding trees such as eucalyptus
in swamps. Animals and plants that live in those areas are Swamp drainage destroyed.

 

Dumping of waste such as waste paper, polythene bags, scrap metal, plastics and waste oil products. When dumped they make it difficult for the vegetation to grow.

 

The relationship between vegetation and population distribution.

Relationship means the way in which two or more things or people are involved with each other. Therefore, the way in which vegetation and population distribution are connected with each other. Population distribution refers to the way people are settled or spread over an area or country. Today, there is competition between people and vegetation. People and vegetation can interact meaningfully without any harm to each other in their way of life. Many people tend to settle in areas where the 'soil is fertile and rainfall is reliable. Areas that have thick vegetation have fertile soils and experience heavy rainfall which attract human activities and settlement. Therefore, people tend to concentrate in such areas because of possibilities of agriculture and harvesting of wood products.

Places with scarce or little vegetation receive less rainfall. People usually use them for cattle rearing. People also destroy vegetation so as to settle, practice agriculture, get timber and wood fuel. Areas which are very dry such as North Eastern Uganda with very poor vegetation have very few or sparse population. However, people plant vegetation in order to earn a living. People and vegetation can live in harmony if proper measures are followed to utilise the vegetation while protecting it as well. On the other hand, areas of little or no vegetation discourage human settlement because the climate is usually unfavourable.