QUESTION 2

2. (a)    Study the map of Southern Africa provided and answer the questions that

follow.

(i)      Name the vegetation regions marked A to E on the map.  

(ii)          Name the major crop grown in each of the regions marked A, B, and C.

(b)     For the crop named in region marked B, State the factors that have favoured the growing of the crop.

(i)           Describe the type of farming methods used in the growing of this crop.

(c)     For the crop named in region marked E.

(i)           State the problems facing farmers in the growing of the crop.

(ii)      Explain how these problems are being solved.

(d)     For the crop named in the region marked ‘A’ explain how the coastal location has favoured its growth

 

POSSIBLE ANSWERS

A.      (i)      Vegetation region marked:-                

                   A is warm temperate.

                   B is Cool temperate.

                   C is Semi desert vegetation.

                   D is Desert scrub.

                   E is Mediterranean

(ii) The major crops grown in A-Sugarcane, B-Maize, E-Vines and Citrus fruits.

 

b.    (i)   The factors that have favoured the growth of maize.

    i.     Moderate rainfall of about

  ii.     750mm, well distributed through out the growing period.

 iii.     Requires plenty supply of labour especially during harvest period.

 iv.     Moderate temperatures between 20^oC-24^oC.

  v.     Well drained, deep and fertile soils.

 vi.     At least 2 months dry season especially at the time of harvest.

vii.     Good transport network for easy delivery to the processing centres.

 

(ii)          The methods used in the growing of this  crop are:-

Maize is grown on both large and small scale and by individual farmers for both commercial  and subsistence purposes. As an annual crop, it  is grown on rotational basis.  It is rotated with  groundnuts, Sunflower and Lucerne.

c.1.  The problems facing farming  farmers in the growing of grapes.

    i.     Pests and diseases which destroy the crop

  ii.     The need for constant manure which is expensive.

 iii.     Lack of skilled labour for pruning and constant care during growth period.

 iv.     The need for irrigation due to insufficient rainfall during winter.

  v.     Competition from other producers like Germany, Holland and Morocco.

 vi.     Soil erosion especially during the winter rain wash.

vii.     Soil exhaustion due to Monoculture.

 

The above problems have been solved by:-

1.    Application of insecticides through spraying.

2.    The soil is as annually replenished by means of cover crops like rye.

3.    Artificial fertilizers is also applied to increase soil fertility.

4.    Labour is provided by the migrants and the settlers

5.    Irrigation water is provided by rivers like, the great Berge, River Breed and their tributaries.

6.    There has been much effort to maintain the high quality of the products like wine and table grapes which are exploited.

7.    The planting of trees as well as contour cultivation are emphasized to check soil erosion.

 

d. How  Coastal location has favoured growth of crop named in region A (Sugarcane).

1.    Natal at the Coast receives heavy rainfall of 1000-1500 mm per annum which is good for sugarcane.

2.    The onshore winds (S.E Trade winds) blow over the warm Southward flowing Mozambique Ocean Current bringing  warm moist conditions to Natal Coast.

3.    The Natal Coast has alluvial soils which are more fertile.

4.    The relief at the coast is flat which  makes transportation easier.

5.    Natal Coast has warm and often quite hot temperatures.

6.    There is enough water for irrigation in the dry season.

QUESTION 3

Study the figure below which shows a cross section of the natural vegetation of Africa, and answer the questions that follow.

 

a        (i)      Name the vegetation types marked A and B. (ii) Name climatic regions where vegetation A and B are found.

(ii)      Give two reasons to explain the  differences in vegetation described in (b)  (i) above.

b.            Out line the characteristics of  vegetation A and B

c.            c.(i)    Name the countries where both types of vegetation exist.

For any one country named in C(i) above. State three economic activities  carried out in the areas covered by each type of vegetation.

d.(i)    Describe four ways in which these  economic activities have affected the vegetation types A and B

 

POSSIBLE ANSWERS

(a) (i) Vegetation A is Equatorial or Tropical rainforest Vegetation B is Savannah Grassland or  Tropical Grassland

(ii) Vegetation A is found in Equatorial climatic region. Vegetation B is found in Tropical or Savanna climate.

(b) (i) (See question 9 for characteristics of Equatorial and tropical Savannah Vegetation)

(ii)   Reasons for differences in vegetation A and B.

    i.     The difference in latitudinal location.

  ii.     Variation in the amount of rainfall.

 iii.     It is also due to differences in temperatures and humidity.

 iv.     The differences in altitude.

  v.     The influence of man.

(c)(i)  Countries where both types of  vegetation exist. 

Benin, Cameroon, Cote devoire, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo.

 

(ii)      Economic activities in Ghana.

Vegetation A (Equatorial) : The economic activities are Cocoa growing, Oil palm growing, lumbering, tourism and industrialisation.

Vegetation B (Savannah) Pastoralism, mining, tourism, trade, Groundnuts and cotton growing.

 

(d)     Ways in which the economic activities mentioned above have affected vegetation types A and B.

·        The need for land for agriculture has led to deforestation hence destruction of vegetation.

·        Burning of grass by Pastoralists.

·        Felling down trees for timber, charcoal and other products.

·        Destruction of the vegetation has led to desert encroachment on the areas adjacent to the dry Savannah.

·        Monoculture has resulted into soil erosion and soil exhaustion.

 

QUESTION 22

(a) What factors have favoured the existence of an Equatorial type of vegetation?

(b) (i) For any country located within the  equatorial region of Africa explain why its economy depends on forestry.

(ii)      What  problems does the country in (b)         (i) above face in exploiting forestry resources.

(c)     What can be done to solve problems faced by the people in the  country mentioned in b(i) above. State the role of forests in the National  Economy.

 

 (b)    The Country in the Region can be Gabon.  Why Its Economy Depends on Forestry:-

·        Presence of great forestlands which lies in the basin of River Ogoore.

·        Availability of capital provided by timber company.

·        Absence of high value minerals.

·        Limited agriculture so people have turned to forestry as a single source of income.

·        The high population that provides both skilled and unskilled labour.

·        Physical conditions like heavy rainfall, high temperatures that favour the growth of forests.

(b)(i) Problems faced in the exploitation of forests resources.

1.    Limited capital to exploit the resources.

2.    Trees do not exist in pure stands.  This makes their exploitation difficult.

3.    Poor technology which results into ineffective exploitation as local rudimentary tools are used.

4.    Lack of  skilled labour due to low levels of education.

5.    Narrow local market due to poverty among the people.  This makes them turn to foreign markets.

6.    Long distances to foreign markets which increases transport costs.

7.    The hardwoods are extremely difficult to work on.

8.    Closely parked trees within the forest.

9.    Muddy and damp ground due to heavy rainfall which makes transportation difficult.

10. Poor transport and communication.  The roads, railway lines and waterways are not well developed.

11. Tropical diseases especially Malaria which is common in areas with  humid conditions.

 

Role of Forests in National Economy

1.    They provide timber for construction and furniture for industries.

2.    Forests conserve soils which support Agriculture.

3.    They provide cheap source of fuel in form of firewood, charcoal to many people.

4.    Forests provide a variety of plant species most of which are of medicinal value.

5.    They protect water catchment areas and are sources of rivers.

6.    They are sources of raw materials for pulp and paper industries.

7.    Forests add moisture to the atmosphere this contributes to convectional rain formation.

8.    They provide employment for people who work in pulp and paper industries.

9.    They provide recreational and scenic sites which are tourists attractions.

10. They provide habitats for animals and birds and are thus a basis of national parks establishment.

11. They are sources of food in form of roots, fruits and honey for human consumption.

12. They are air purifiers.

13. The protect soil from wind and surface run-off.

14. They are also used for research purposes.

15. They provide transmission poles

 

QUESTION

(a)     Draw  a sketch map of Africa and on it mark and name the:-

          Vegetation types:-  

     (i) Equatorial, Mediterranean Vegetation, the Sahel / Semi-Arid vegetation.

(ii)    Latitudes: Equator, Tropic of Capricorn, Tropic of Cancer.

(b)     Describe the characteristics of the:-    (i) Mediterranean vegetation,  (ii) Sahel/Semi-Arid    vegetation.

(C (i)  Identify the economic activities carried out by the people living in the

          Sahel region.

(ii)      Mention the problems faced by the people living in the Sahara region.

(d)     For any one country in the Sahel region, outline the steps being taken to solve the problems mentioned in (ii) above.