(a) Draw an outline map of Africa. On it, show and name the following:
(i) The Equatorial rain forest;
(ii) The Tropical grassland;
(iii) One town in each of the areas in (a) (i) and (a) (ii) above.
(b) Outline three characteristics of the Equatorial rainforest vegetation.
(c) In what three ways is the Tropical rainforest of economic importance?
Explanation
(b) Characteristics of Equatorial Rainforest vegetation
— Layered arrangement of vegetation cover
— The upper layer consists of trees 40-60m
— Middle layer made up of trees 30-40m high
— Lower layer consists of shalt s, herbs and trees up to 20m high
(ii) Trees form a continuous canopy in the upper layer.
(iii) Presence of trees with long, straight trunks with large buttress roots.
(iv) Some trees possess thin barks.
(v) Trees are evergreen but not fount in pure stand.
(vi) Trees have few branches with little or no undergrowth.
(vii) Presence of abundant hardwoods example, iroko, Mahogany, Obeche, Cider, etc.
(viii) Trees found usually have broad leaves.
(ix) Numerous species of plants are found.
(x) Presence of climbers and lianas.
(c) Ways in which the tropical rainforest vegetation is of economic importance.
(1) Trees produce valuable timber for building and construction works.
(2) Raw materials for the furniture industry.
(3) Timber derived are used as railway slippers.
(4) Leaves, barks and roots for medicinal purposes.
(5) Wood for fuel.
(6) Materials for dyeing and tanning.
(7) Fruits and seeds as food.
(8) Raw materials for local craft, e.g. cane work.
(9) Hunting of wild animals.
(10) Foreign exchange through the exploitation of timber and other products.
(11) Provision o employment for lumbermen, hunters, forest guards, etc.
(12) Income to lumbermen.
(13) Revenue to the government through licences.