Chapter 1.2 Climate and Vegetation Africa is filled with many different climates, landforms, vegetation, plant life and regions

I. What Influences Climate Although many think Africa is a hot place, not all parts are extremely hot because of several geographic features (what can effect climates?) Distance from equator, elevation, and location to water resources

A. Distance from the Equator The equator runs through the mid section of Africa This area is usually very hot Also known as the areas between the tropic of cancer and tropic of Capricorn North of the equator the weather and seasons are much like here in Michigan While south of the equator the seasons are reversed

B. Role of Elevation Elevation or height above sea level makes a huge difference The higher you go the colder it gets Farming is adjusted and located properly due to the many elevation issues Areas must have rain and warmer temps but too cold and too much rain along droughts could cost a family their income Many areas must use irrigation in order to farm it also effects livestock farmers Many nomads wouldn’t dare travel the deserts without knowing where an oasis is located or an area with water and vegetation

C. Unpredictable Rainfall Rainfall varies which can cause huge issues with regards to floods and droughts Coastal areas have the biggest effects on water levels Ocean storms often carry huge amounts of water inland producing areas with over 100 inches of water per year and other areas have droughts which get less than 40 inches of water a year This causes farmers to plant a variety of crops just in case

II. Vegetation Regions of Africa Like rainfall, vegetation varies across the country Rainforests and jungles are located toward the center of the continent near the equator while deserts and savannas (tall grass lands) surround those landforms

A. Tropical Rainforests Rain falls year-round here Rain forests make up 20% of the continent Plant and animal life are exotic here (gorillas/monkeys) People who live here have created isolated towns and villages in clearings to avoid the wrath of such animal life Cacao is the plant chocolate is made from and it grows wild here People also hunt, fish, and harvest timber However over-logging threatens to destroy many rainforests

B. Tropical Savannas This is the most common vegetation in Africa Tall grass, scattered trees, and bushes surround much of the deserts and mountainous areas Savannas are home to other exotic animals like elephants, lions, and zebras They have dry and wet seasons, dry seasons make farming impossible some rivers actually dry up and wet seasons bring floods Trading is common here for any needed goods

C. Deserts The Sahara covers most of North Africa which is nearly the size of the United States This area and areas surrounding the desert sometimes only get 4 inches of rain a year Very little in the way of shrubs or plant life grow here Other deserts like the Namib and Kalahari are located in Southern Africa

D. Desert Living Many who live here are nomads who wander in search of food and shelter Most nomads are herders and herd cattle as they travel which is often used as trade/ also herd camels Others live in the mountainous areas surrounding the deserts for the cooler temps and better grazing areas If they chose to stay in the desert it’s always near an oasis for survival

III. Climate and Health Climate effects health, so health risks are evident for humans and animals Warmer temps carry more disease, especially through insects

A. Sleeping sickness 1/5 of Africa is home to the Tsetse fly This insect makes raising cattle almost impossible This fly causes sleeping sickness in humans and can kill cattle Many farmers and scientists have come together to try to rid the continent of this small killer Malaria is another disease which is spread to humans from mosquitos, they thrive in warm moist climates often near ponds, rivers, etc…