The economic activities carried out in tropical Savannah regions

Pastoralism and Ranching are practiced in areas that are free from tsetse flies.
Crop cultivation on subsistence, commercial and Plantational basis. Many crops such as maize Millet, sorghum, Potatoes as well as Cotton are grown for food and cash crops respectively.
 
Africa is famous for its grasslands and their wildlife.
Mixed farming is carried out in areas near Urban centres.
Lumbering is carried out in areas adjacent to Tropical rainforest zones.
Fishing is carried out in Lakes, swamps and rivers.
There is tourism due to presence of plenty of wild animals in game parks and game reserves.
Mining is carried out in areas endowed with minerals such as Iron ore, copper, Limestone.
There is trade in urban centres as people deal in agricultural and manufactured goods.
IDevice Icon Activity

HARARE – Zimbabwe

(Temperatures lower because of 1500 metre altitude).

Months.

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Temp. C

24

23

22

21

20

18

17

18

20

23

24

24

Rain mm

200

175

100

25

20

_

_

_

_

50

100

175

SONGEA – South  Tanzania

Months.

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Temp. C

22

23

22

21

19

18

17

18

21

22

23

23

Rain mm

275

212

225

100

10

_

_

_

_

3

25

185

QUESTION TWO

Study the tables below showing climate statistics for station and B and answer the questions that follow:-

 

Station A

 Months

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Temp.(oC)

30

31

31

31

30

29

28

28

29

29

30

30

R/F(mm)

250

250

355

300

213

25

25

25

100

275

380

200

Source: Minns, H.R. Africa, P.37

 

Station B.

Months

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Temp.(oC

23

23

23

22

22

22

21

22

22

22

22

23

R/F(mm)

40

70

150

230

205

115

66

80

195

225

150

50

Source: Minns , J.W: A geography of Africa, Page.36

 

a.       From station A.

          (i)State the hottest months.

          (ii)  State the coolest months.

          (iii) Calculate the annual temperature range.

b.       From station B.

          1.       State the wettest month.

          2.       Calculate the annual rainfall.

c.       Describe the climatic characteristics for

          1.       Station A,     2.  Station B.

d.       Describe the characteristics of vegetation associated with the climate at.

          1.       Station A.     2.   Station B.

e.       Give reasons and suggest three economic activities that could be carried out in the area around station A.

f.        If you were a planner, suggest the steps you would take to improve on the economic activities in the area around station.

 

          Possible Answers

          For station A:-

·        The hottest months are February, March and April.

·        The coolest months are July and August with 28oC.

·        The annual temperature range is obtained by subtracting the lowest mean monthly temperature from the highest mean monthly temperature 31- 28=3oC

For Station B:- The wettest month is April. The total annual rainfall is obtained by adding rainfall received in a year =1576 mm.

 

c)  Climatic characteristics of station A

·        High temperatures range from 27-31oC with a small diurnal range and small annual range.

·        Heavy rainfall of 1500-2,250mm throughout the year.

·        The area also receives double maximum rainfall, convectional in nature and accompanied with lightening and thunder.

·        High relative humidity.

·        Equal days and nights.

·        There is a thick cloud cover.

 

The climatic characteristics of station B are:

·        High temperatures of about 20oC throughout the year with a low annual rainfall

·        The rainfall received ranges from 500-1500 mm a year.

·        The rainfall is seasonal and varies in intensity.  Its heavier near the tropical forests zone fringes but reduces towards the Tropics and areas adjacent to the deserts.

·        Receives convectional type of rainfall apart from mountainous areas.

·        The seasons in Tropical Savannah region depend on the position of the sun over the Tropics and the winds that blow across the continent.

·        These are characteristics of Tropical or Savannah climate.

The characteristics of the vegetation associated with climate at station A are

·        The tall, huge trees with Buttress root.

·        Luxuriant growth due to good conditions.

·        Evergreen trees which form three canopies.

·        Associated with climbing plants which struggle for light.

·        Little or no under growth.

·        Hard wood trees that are difficult to work on.

·        ;Trees have thick barks.

 

Characteristics of vegetation associated with climate at station B (Tropical Savannah)

·        Have scanty tree growth.

·        Have varying types of grass cover depending on climatic conditions for example near the equatorial region there is elephant grass.

·        Have Xerophetic plants.

·        Plant colour changes with season i.e green in wet season and brown in dry season.

·        Have deciduous types of trees.

·        Have thorny Umbrella-like trees (acacia) which constitute the bulk of the tree species.

·        Other trees include Baobab and Eucalyptus.  The cultivated vegetation includes maize, millet, potatoes, cotton, Sugarcane and Groundnuts.


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