Equatorial forests are the lungs of our planet. Why do tropical forests in Africa give way to savannas and those to deserts?

Africa is home to evergreen moist equatorial forests, seasonally moist forests, savannas and woodlands, semi-deserts and deserts, and hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs. High altitudes are located in the mountains natural areas.

Equatorial forest zone. The equatorial forest zone is characteristic of the equatorial climate zone, which is located near the equator and the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. Equatorial forests called wet, or hylea.

Equatorial forests grow on red-yellow soils. High humidity and high temperature promote the oxidation of iron contained in the soil. It is the oxidation of iron that gives the soils of equatorial forests their reddish tint. The soils in question are poor in humus. Forests have a tiered structure, that is, they grow in several tiers. Due to the density of vegetation cover sunlight almost does not penetrate under the crowns.

The equatorial forest is rich and diverse. Up to a thousand species of trees and 25 thousand species of other plants are found here. The upper tier (35-50 m) of the equatorial forest is formed by palm trees and sei-be. In the middle tier there is an oil palm, and in the lower tier there is a palm tree called raffia. Tree ferns and vines also grow, which densely twine around tree trunks. The lowest tier of the equatorial forest is occupied by shrubs and herbaceous vegetation.

Animals of equatorial Africa live mainly in trees. These are a wide variety of birds, rodents, insects, as well as monkeys (monkeys, chimpanzees). The land is inhabited by the dwarf African gazelle (height 40 cm), the pygmy hippopotamus (height 80 cm), forest elephant, okapi, gorilla, etc. The largest predator of the equatorial forests is the panther.

The zone of equatorial forests to the north and south gives way to wet seasonal forests. Animal world Seasonally wet forests are not much different from the fauna of equatorial forests, where only two months of the year there is no or little rainfall. Various snakes, lizards, and other insects live here.

Savannah. About 40% of Africa's territory is occupied by savannas. In appearance, savannas with tall shrub vegetation resemble the landscape of steppes. Woody vegetation occurs in small clusters or groves. Savannas differ from the equatorial forest zone by distinct wet and dry seasons. Distinctive feature Savannas are also home to large animals. The adjacent moist seasonal forests grow dense herbaceous plants up to 3 m tall.

Red soils are developed in savannas.

The rainy season lasts 6 months, which is generally typical for a typical savanna. Precipitation falls mainly in summer time. Common trees include umbrella acacia, sand palm, etc.

As we approach the Sahara, the savannah landscape changes. The dense grass and shrub cover gives way to low-growing and sparse vegetation, among which leafless spurge, cacti and various thorns stand out, and huge baobabs also grow here.

The largest animals live in the savannas: antelopes (up to 40 species), zebras, giraffes, elephants (up to 4 m high, weighing up to 12 tons), buffalos, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, baboons, lions, panthers, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, crocodiles (5-6 m long) (Fig. 12). There are also ostriches (up to 2.8 m long, weighing up to 90 kg), secretary birds, marabou, etc. There are well-known nature reserves, national parks and game reserves created in the savannas.

Attention! If you find an error in the text, highlight it and press Ctrl+Enter to notify the administration.

1. Using the map, determine in which climatic zones there are tropical deserts and semi-deserts.

To complete this task you will need maps of natural zones and climate zones. Determine in which climatic zones these natural zones are located. Why did they form in these particular climate zones? Most main reason is the average annual precipitation characteristic of a given climate zone. A decrease in precipitation in the tropical region leads to the formation of semi-deserts and deserts.

2. Using maps, determine the climatic conditions of the desert zone.

Using climate maps, determine the average annual precipitation and average temperatures characteristic of tropical climate. The Sahara is a huge desert, the area of ​​which is constantly increasing.

3. Why do savannas give way to deserts?

Between the deserts and the equatorial forest zone in Africa there are savannas. Savannas in Africa differ in the type of vegetation and high-quality composition other components depending on the amount of precipitation received. For more in-depth study African savannas, we invite you to independently compare the zone of savannas and woodlands with typical savannas and desertified savannas.

Immediately after the desertified savannas, due to a further decrease in the amount of precipitation, there are areas of semi-deserts and deserts.

4. What are the features of rivers in tropical deserts?

Rivers flowing through tropical deserts lose a lot of water through evaporation and quickly become shallow. Only rivers are full-flowing, the upper reaches of which are located in areas with higher amounts of precipitation.

Rivers and lakes in the desert are a real oasis. Water and life in tropical deserts are inseparable.

How to download a free essay? . And a link to this essay; Natural areas of Africa already in your bookmarks.
Additional essays on this topic

    1. What are the features geographical location southern continents? A peculiarity of the geographical location of the southern continents can be considered their partial or complete location in the Southern Hemisphere. This situation determines the climate, the combination of natural zones, the nature human activity on the territory of each continent. 2. Name common features relief of the southern continents. What explains them? In the location of the main forms of relief, the following pattern can be distinguished: the central, relatively stable parts of the continents - platforms - occupy plains; mountains are located on the outskirts of continents.
    1. How is heat and moisture exchanged between the ocean and land? The waters of the World Ocean interact with atmospheric air and through transport air masses influence the temperature and humidity on the land surface. 2. How are the air masses formed over land and ocean different? Water, unlike the solid surface of land, takes a long time to heat up and long time gives off heat. IN winter time warm and humid marine air masses (MAM), arriving at the land surface, significantly increase air temperature
    1. How does the law manifest itself? natural zoning on the territory of Eurasia? This geographical law on the territory of Eurasia is most clearly manifested in the sequence of alternation of natural zones. One natural zone replaces another when moving from north to south. 2. It is known that more plant mass is formed in forests than in steppes, but chernozem soils are much more fertile than podzolic soils. How can we explain this? Each natural area has its own geographical features, type of vegetation, soil, etc. Forest soils, despite
    1. Name the similarities and differences between the natural areas of South America and Africa. You already know that highlighting similarities and differences is a method of comparison. Carefully study maps of natural areas of South America and Africa. While completing task 2 after 42, you compared the climate of these two continents; the knowledge gained can be used by comparing natural zones. Differences in the nature of continents in to the greatest extent associated with differences in climatic conditions. Within each climate zone
    1. What are the main properties of the atmosphere? The atmosphere is a necessary condition the origin and existence of life on Earth. The air that makes up the atmosphere is necessary for breathing for all living things. A person cannot help but breathe air even for 1 minute, and only long-term training can extend this time to several minutes. After this, if breathing is not resumed, the person will die from suffocation. It is no coincidence that there is such an expression: “needed like air.” Air for living beings

The material from this event can be used in general review lessons on the topic “Africa”, and how extracurricular activity during a subject week in geography. Main goal: to develop cognitive interest To school course geography, creative thinking; consolidate the knowledge and skills acquired in geography lessons. There is an element of success in the game, a lot positive emotions, the joy of communication.

Target:

  • generalize and consolidate students’ knowledge on the topic “Africa”;
  • generalize and consolidate knowledge of geographical nomenclature on the topic;
  • broaden the horizons of students;
  • continue to develop the ability to work with atlas maps;
  • contribute to increasing interest in the subject,
  • develop the ability to work in a team, empathize, collaborate in general educational work;
  • apply knowledge and skills in a new non-standard situation;
  • continue to develop creative thinking, activity, initiative, and independence.

Tasks:

  1. form 4 teams from 7th grade students;
  2. familiarize students with the rules of the game;
  3. deepen the knowledge and skills acquired in lessons on the topic “Africa”;
  4. to uncover creative potential students.

Equipment:

  1. Wall map: “Africa” (physiographic).
  2. Exhibition of children's works on the topic "Africa", additional literature.
  3. Handout.

In organizing and conducting geographic KVN, we distinguish 3 stages:

  1. Preparatory:
    A) determination of knowledge and skills that are used in the game;
    B) development of game rules;
    B) writing a script.
  2. Organization and conduct of the game:
    A) training of presenters;
    B) determination of the composition of the jury;
    B) preparation necessary equipment, literature;
    D) preparation of teams;
    D) playing the game.
  3. Analysis of results:
    A) survey and analysis of its results;
    B) analysis of the preparation and progress of the game;
    C) reporting the results of the game.

Progress of the event

1. Organizational moment.

Check students' readiness for the lesson and psychological mood.

2. Rules of the game.

Each competition is evaluated in different quantities points, the team that scores the most wins, and the contribution of each team member is taken into account.

1 presenter: Attention! Attention! Let's start our KVN. It is hardly possible to find a person who will remain indifferent to hot Africa, full of mysteries and exciting discoveries. This the whole world with special natural conditions, numerous peoples, amazing story. Africa is endless deserts. Africa is an unforgettable savannah. Today we are all at the mercy of Africa. There are 4 teams participating in our competition: “Pharaohs”, “Ghanians”, “Ethiopians” and “Limpopo”.

2 presenter:

We are with you, friends,
Today we will see a serious battle!
The rivals will show each other
Your resourcefulness and courage!

1 presenter: The game is judged by our esteemed jury (introduced by the jury to the teams).

2 presenter: so, we are starting the first competition - “BUSINESS CARD”. The teams are introduced: name, motto, emblem, greetings to the jury and opponents (10 points).

1 presenter: Second competition “WARM-UP”

Competition "Warm-up".

Teams are asked 5 questions in turn, every 30 seconds. the answer is given and is worth 1 point. If there is no answer, then the answers of other teams are listened to and then 0.5 points are awarded to the team that answered correctly.

Warm-up questions:

  1. The most high peak Africa.( Kilimanjaro).
  2. Where do lemurs live? ( Madagascar).
  3. The largest island off the coast of Africa. ( Madagascar).
  4. Which part of Africa is rich in diamonds and gold? ( South).
  5. Name the shortest people on Earth.( pygmies)
  6. Plants in the equatorial forest, living on the trunks and branches of trees.( epiphytes)
  7. Waterfall on the Zambezi River. ( Victoria)
  8. The famous English explorer, who in the village. XIX century made several trips to South Africa. ( Livingston)
  9. Russian explorer of Central and East Africa. (Junker)
  10. Extreme western point mainland. ( Cape Almadi)
  11. Where do pygmies live? ( In the forests of central Africa).
  12. What is a wadi? ( Dry river beds).
  13. In which natural zone is it hot and humid throughout the year, like a steam room? ( In Hylaea).
  14. Where does the date palm grow? ( In the oases of the Sahara Desert).
  15. What is simoom and where is this phenomenon observed? ( Wind. In the Sahara).
  16. What are the moist multi-story forests in Africa called? ( Hylaea).
  17. Name a lake that changes its shape. ( Chad).
  18. What tree do elephants like? ( Baobab).
  19. Name the river that crosses the equator twice. ( Congo).
  20. Which tree is called the desert octopus? ( Velvichia).

2 presenter: Let's ask the jury to announce the results of the first and second competitions.

1 presenter: The third competition is announced, which is called “Higher and Higher...”

A representative of each team chooses an envelope containing a task: to travel, describing the terrain and their impressions. (1 envelope - Atlas, 2 envelopes - Mount Kilimanjaro, 3 envelopes - Ethiopian Highlands, 4 envelopes - Drakensberg Mountains.) 3 minutes, 2 points, are allotted to complete the task.

2 presenter: While the teams are climbing different parts Africa, fans have a chance to earn points for their teams.

1 presenter: Announced competition-game" Who it? What's happened?"

Congo River, basin, state;

Sweet potato - sweet potato;

Niger State, river;

Okapi animal;

Welwitschia plant;

Tuaregs are desert dwellers;

Atlas - mountains;

Mozambique is a state;

Madagascar is an island, a state;

Tanganyika - lake;

Almadi - cape, western point of the mainland;

Somalia - peninsula;

Nyasa - lake;

Chad is a lake. State;

Ahaggar - highland;

Algeria – state, city, capital;

Mango is a fruit with juicy pulp;

Pygmies are the shortest people on Earth;

Kalahari is a desert in southern Africa;

Lemurs are animals that live on the island. Madagascar.

2 presenter: While the jury is evaluating the children’s travels around Africa, we have the next 4th competition - “Orienteering”.

2 people per team are invited to the map to find geographical objects. For each correctly shown object, teams are awarded 1 point.

Namib Desert, Oz. Tanganyika, Zambezi River, Congo River, Ethiopian Highlands, lake. Chad, Cape Almadi, Tripoli, Atlas, Gulf of Guinea, M. Ben-Sekka, Vdp. Victoria, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tibesti Highlands, Mount Kenya, Drakensberg Mountains, R. Niger, Cairo city, Mediterranean Sea, Cape Mountains, cape Ras Hafun, Tunisia City, Canary Islands, Red Sea, Mozambique Strait, Sahara, Strait of Gibraltar, Suez Canal, Vdp. Livingston, Libyan desert, Kalahari Desert, Lake Victoria, East African plateau, Cameroon Volcano, Cape Agulhas, Lake Nyasa, Somalia Peninsula, Pretoria City, Madagascar Island, Nile River.

1 presenter: Dear jury! State the results of previous competitions and the overall score.

2 presenter: We are starting the fifth competition - “Why”.

Each team is asked a question in turn. 15 seconds are allotted for discussion, the correctness and completeness of the answer is taken into account (2 points for each correct answer).

Questions:

  1. Why is Africa the hottest continent on Earth? ( located on the equator and between the two tropics).
  2. Why does the Congo Basin experience rainfall every day? ( high temperatures, rising air movement, cloud formation and precipitation).
  3. Why in South Africa on the coast Atlantic Ocean Doesn't there rainfall in the Namib Desert? ( cold current).
  4. Why is it always hot in the Congo Basin? ( uniform arrival solar radiation, which is determined by the angle of incidence of the sun's rays).
  5. Why do pygmies take care of the raffia palm tree? ( The leaves of this palm reach a length of 10-12 meters. Pygmies build their homes from them. Their fibers are used to weave baskets and hats.)
  6. Why is it difficult for a person to breathe in a hyle? ( Rotting leaves and other plant debris leads to an increase in carbon dioxide in the ground layer of air).
  7. Why do equatorial forests give way to savannas? ( The main reason is climate change. The amount of precipitation decreases and the temperature drops. There is seasonality in precipitation, the ratio of heat and moisture changes.)
  8. Why is the Congo River the deepest on the mainland? ( The river crosses the equator twice, collecting water from huge territories and flows in the humid tropics, receiving abundant rain nutrition).
  9. Why is Lake Tanganyika very deep and has steep slopes? ( The lake is located in a trough of an ancient crystalline section of the earth's crust).
  10. Why is Lake Chad shown as a dotted line on maps? ( This is a dry lake that fills with water only during the rainy season.).
  11. Why are the leaves of the trees of the upper tier small and leathery in the Hylea, while those of the trees of the lower tiers are large and tender? ( The leaves of the plants in the upper tier receive a lot of light, and they are the first to meet the force of the rain jets. And the leaves of the plants of the lower tier fight for light, and raindrops reach them already weakened).
  12. Why is it difficult or almost impossible for a jungle traveler to find fuel for a fire? ( With excess heat and moisture, fallen leaves and other plant debris decompose very quickly. Their decomposition under the influence of insects and fungi begins even before that. How they fall).

1 presenter: Somewhere close to Captain Vrungel’s hands were notes, to our greatest regret, some things here are called into question. So, the next Captains Competition “Do you know Africa?”

Captains are invited. They choose envelopes that contain a description of the continent. It is necessary to find errors and correct them. The jury takes into account the number of errors found and the correctness of their correction. (One mistake - one point). Execution time: 3 minutes.

“Our ship sailed along the coast of Africa. This continent is located almost symmetrically on both sides of the northern tropic. We landed on the Madagascar peninsula. We were greeted by the pygmies of the Efe tribe, who offered us a delicious drink made from the juice of the strawberry tree. Walking around the outskirts of the pygmy village, we admired the wet equatorial forest, in which we were amazed by the metasequoia and rattan palm. The first animals we saw were lemurs, they were playing with a koala bear on the branches of a rattan palm tree.” (Errors: 1. Mainland Africa is located on both sides of the equator, not the northern tropic. 2. Madagascar is an island, not a peninsula. 3. The strawberry tree does not grow in the hyla. 4. Metasequoia is a plant characteristic of North America.5 The koala bear is not typical for Africa; it lives in Australia.)

2 presenter: While the captains are correcting the letter, the rest of the team members are asked to guess the riddles (three riddles for each team, the correct answer is one point.) The presenters take turns reading the riddles, and the teams read the riddles after 30 seconds. give an answer.

Puzzles:

  1. I am a bird, a champion runner.
    An athlete cannot overtake me. ( ostrich)
  2. Striped like a zebra
    And she's as cowardly as a hare.
    I don’t attack animals, I only eat carrion. ( hyena)
  3. Armed to the teeth:
    There is armor and a sword.
    I'm running, the earth is shaking
    It's like buckshot hitting. ( rhinoceros)
  4. The neck is arched
    Delicate coloring.
    Quietly dozing over the water
    Bird or fairy tale? ( flamingo)
  5. I am related to monkeys
    Look for me on the island of Madagascar! ( lemur)
  6. From red-haired "Europeans"
    Distinctive with ears,
    But I am a wonderful predator!
    I hunt great! ( fennec)
  7. All alone in the desert
    I look majestic
    That’s why they call me divine... ( Velvichia)
  8. He's afraid of everyone in the savannah,
    But even a lion has to share
    He always hides in the grass,
    Jumps, grabs a piece
    And he runs back. ( jackal)
  9. He blows like a locomotive
    Has a tail between the eyes.
    Through the thicket barrier
    A fat man walked through the jungle...( elephant)
  10. We don't have such trees
    A hundred times more oak.
    Makes sounds like a grandfather
    After all, he is five thousand years old. ( baobab)
  11. I catch poisonous snakes
    And I keep score for them.
    I wear a feather behind my ear
    And I don't need a bill. ( secretary bird)
  12. On the lawn for an hour
    Runs playfully
    Striped mattress
    With a ponytail and mane. ( zebra).

1 presenter: Guys, today we once again made a trip to “Far and So Close Africa”, it’s time to put all our knowledge into system. I propose to write a book and call it “African Record Breakers.” This is what the eighth competition sounds like. Teams must remember and write down African records in 3 minutes (each record is worth 1 point).

(Examples: Africa is the hottest continent, etc.)

2 presenter: Word from the jury about past competitions and results.

1 presenter: And finally last competition homework"One day of life African people" 10 points.

The jury announces the results and awards certificates to the most active players and fans.

2 presenter:

KVN went well,
We are happy with it, friends,
We all understood:
Today it is impossible to live without humor.

1 presenter:

And saying goodbye for a while,
We wish good luck to everyone,
New meetings on the paths of knowledge
Both in geography and in KVN.

Summarizing. Thank all participants of this event and conduct a short questionnaire:

  1. Did you like KVN or not and why?
  2. What new things did you learn during preparation?
  3. What would you add to the next KVN?

Literature

  1. Baglaeva N.I. “Non-traditional study of geography.” Novosibirsk, 1992.
  2. Perepecheva N.N. " Non-standard lessons geography". Volgograd, “Teacher-AST”, 2004.
  3. Elkin G.N. " Workbook on the geography of continents and oceans." St. Petersburg, ed. House "MiM", 1998.
  4. Krylova O.V. "Geography lessons: 7th grade." M, "Enlightenment", 1990.
  5. Pyatunin V.B. “Control and testing work in geography grades 6-10." M, "Bustard", 1996.
  6. "Test as a form of knowledge control." Compiled by Krasnovskaya V.A., MGIUU, 1992
  7. Nikitina N.A. " Lesson-based developments in geography" 7th grade Moscow "Waco" 2007.

    So, after 30 minutes it is yellow, and after 20 it is already gray. 100%
    I watched.

    Savannas and woodlands are located in the equatorial, subequatorial, subtropical and tropical climatic zones.

    EQUATORIAL CLIMATE - rainforest climate equatorial belt with weak winds, very small annual temperature fluctuations (24-28 °C at sea level) and heavy precipitation (from 1.5 thousand to 5 thousand mm per year), falling more or less evenly throughout the year.

    Low pressure, heavy tropical rains, high temperatures but without dry periods create conditions for the growth of humid equatorial forests and the cultivation of valuable tropical crops (sago and coconut palms, bananas, pineapples, cocoa. The equatorial climate is widespread over the vast territory of Equatorial Africa, in the Amazon basin in South America, in some places in Central America and Indonesia. Similar climates, but under the influence of other circulation processes, are also formed in special conditions relief within neighboring areas with equatorial monsoon climate.
    Subequatorial zones are natural geographical zones of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, between the equatorial and tropical zones. The climate of the subequatorial zones is characterized by the dominance of equatorial monsoons with dry winters and wet summers, the temperature is constantly high. In subequatorial zones
    - on land there are zones of savannas and woodlands and subequatorial monsoon mixed forests.
    - surface water The oceans have a temperature of about 25 degrees C throughout the year and a salinity close to normal. Subequatorial monsoon forest zones are natural zones of subequatorial belts in Central and South America, Africa, southern Asia and northeastern Australia. In these areas:
    - the climate is characterized by the dominance of equatorial monsoons;
    - the dry season lasts 2.5-4.5 months;
    - soils - red lateritic;
    - mixed deciduous-evergreen and deciduous forests predominate.
    http://www.glossary.ru/cgi-bin/gl_sch2.c...)!szxxutt:)!rlxui
    The tropical belt is the geographical zone of the Earth in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, mainly from 20 to 30° N. and S. respectively. Average temperatures in winter are not lower than 10 °C, in summer 30-35 °C. In arid places there are deserts and semi-deserts, in more humid places there are savannas and deciduous forests.

    SUBEQUATORIAL CLIMATE - the climate of subequatorial latitudes, characterized by high air temperatures, small annual fluctuations and significant precipitation (2000-2500 mm per year) occurring in the summer. On the mountain slopes facing the summer monsoon, the maximum amount of rain falls on globe- on average about 12,000 mm per year. From equatorial climate subequatorial climate is characterized by pronounced dryness in winter. Atmospheric circulation has the character of tropical monsoons.

    SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE - climates that form in subtropical latitudes. They are characterized by the predominance of tropical air masses in summer and moderate air masses in winter. Subtropical climates include: Mediterranean climate, subtropical monsoon climate, subtropical (including cold) desert climates.

    TROPICAL CLIMATE - climate tropical latitudes, as a rule, are dry and hot climates that are formed throughout the year under the influence of regions high blood pressure subtropical regions and trade wind circulation over the oceans and depressions of thermal origin over the continents. This type of climate is characterized by a stable predominance of partly cloudy weather, low precipitation, high temperatures air, the presence of the heat poles of the globe.

    http://facstaff.uwa.edu/jmccall/ConBio/Savanna.ppt
    http://www.williston.k12.sc.us/wehs/Environmental Science/Chapter8notes.ppt
    http://www.orange.k12.oh.us/teachers/ohs/jsangdahl/APESWEB/ch 7grasslands.PPT_files/ch 7grasslands.PPT.ppt

  • tell me the ways

    Yes, how unimportant:
    1.possible by train/train
    2.possible by car
    3.by ship
    4.on foot
    5.by plane
    6.on a donkey
    7.on a horse
    8.hitchhiking
    9.on a bike
    10.by bus
    11.on a scooter
    and so on

    Yes, not only about Africa, no one cares about third world countries in general, let’s say, judging by the news, no one cares about India either, it’s like in football, we all know Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​but no one cares about third division teams, but there’s one more news - you are watching European news, African news will be about Africa)

    They have a DOG, from the word - sand :)

    the infrastructure there is crap...if you consider that slavery was abolished less than 200 years ago, and Africa began to be built less than 100 years ago, then this is obvious...in fact, these are slaves who were given freedom, but they don’t know what to do with it: )

  • There will be no European serenades there...

    Student Today at 16:38 Liked the answer
    I don’t want to go there to fuck black women.


    A. well, sorry then

In Africa, natural zones extend mainly from west to east.

Equatorial rainforests

The equatorial belt of Africa is covered with Hylea - moist evergreen forests that develop in the humid, hot equatorial climate on red-yellow ferrallitic soils. In the Hylaea of ​​Africa there are up to 3,000 species of woody plants alone. Ironwood, sandalwood, red, black (ebony) wood, rubber trees, oil palm, rattan palm, breadfruit, cocoa, coffee, and nutmeg trees grow here. The trunks and crowns of trees are intertwined with vines and orchids.

The fauna of the equatorial rainforests is rich and diverse. They only live here apes. The ground layer is inhabited by small ungulates, pigs, okapi, pygmy hippos. Among the predators there is a leopard. Snakes, shrews, lizards, and termites are found in the soil and forest floor. Insects are common in forests - mosquitoes, ants, etc. There are relatively few birds in humid forests.

Savannas and woodlands

The zone of variable-humid forests gives way to savannas and woodlands. Savannas are dominated by grass cover, among which stand single or small groups of low trees and shrubs of the hot zone. In drier places, red-brown soils of desert savannas are formed, and closer to humid forests, red ferrallitic soils of tall-grass savannas are formed. During the dry season, grasses burn out and many trees shed their leaves. As soon as the rains come, the grass rises and the trees become covered with leaves. Where it rains for a long time, thick and tall grasses grow. Among the trees in the savanna, baobabs, umbrella acacias, mimosas and some types of palms are common. In the dry areas of the savannah, aloe and spurge are found.

There are many large herbivores in the savannas: a variety of antelopes, zebras, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses. Common predators include lions, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas. The menace of many animals and humans are crocodiles. There are many birds in the savannas of Africa: sunbird, African ostrich, secretary bird, flamingos, ibises, storks, marabou. Tsetse fly bites are fatal to cattle and horses. In humans it causes sleeping sickness.

Deserts and semi-deserts

In Africa, savannas and woodlands transform into tropical semi-deserts and deserts. In the Sahara, vast areas are occupied by rocky deserts, with alternating clayey and sandy deserts, where dunes and sand dunes accumulate in places. The vegetation of the Sahara is very poor, and in some places there is none at all. Lichens are common in the rocky desert, and saltwort and wormwood are common on saline soils. U large sources and in river valleys, where groundwater come close to the surface, rich vegetation (oases) develops. A widespread plant in oases is the date palm. Animals of the Sahara are adapted to desert climate conditions. Lizards, turtles and snakes can go without water for a long time. Various beetles, locusts, and scorpions are also numerous. On the outskirts of the desert there are hyenas and lions.

IN South Africa deserts occupy the coast of the Atlantic Ocean (Namib Desert). In the west of the continent, in areas with a Mediterranean climate, there is a zone of subtropical evergreen forests and shrubs. Hot, dry summers and relatively warm (+4 ... +10 ° C) wet winters are favorable for evergreen vegetation that grows on chestnut soils. On the plains North Africa this zone to the east is replaced by a zone of subtropical deserts and semi-deserts.

Human impact on nature

The consequence of felling, burning, and improper management was the reduction of forests, their impoverishment species composition, increasing the area of ​​savannas and deserts. To save many species of plants and animals from extinction, reserves and National parks. They have great value both for the study and conservation of nature. A famous national park in Africa is the Serengeti, where landscapes of grassy savannas with areas of shrubs and individual trees are protected, and gallery forests along the river valleys. Elephants, lions, leopards, wildebeest, Grant's and Thomson's gazelles live here.

Natural phenomena and ecological problems

The natural phenomena of Africa are droughts, locust attacks, sandstorms in deserts (samum). The main environmental problems of Africa: an increase in the territory of deserts, the destruction of humid and variable-humid forests of the equatorial belt, a reduction in the number of wild animals.