Page 69 - Geography for Secondary Schools Student’s Book Form One

Geography for Secondary Schools
Student’s Book Form One

or hot environment. For instance, (d) Wind: Wind is air in motion. Usually
tropical rainforests thrive in regions air moves from high pressure areas
with consistently high temperatures. In to low pressure areas. Wind plays
mountain areas, as elevation increases, a crucial role in shaping vegetation
temperatures generally decrease, growth, distribution, and adaptation.
leading to changes in vegetation zones For example, in areas with strong
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similar to those seen with changes in and persistent winds, vegetation
latitude towards the poles. may experience wind trimming or
pruning. Strong winds also cause the
(b) Precipitation: The amount and trees to bend. Strong winds can break
distribution of precipitation are critical branches, remove leaves, or damage
factors affecting the types of vegetation vegetation structure. Over time, this
growing in an area. Areas with high and can lead to unique growth patterns. In
consistent precipitation tend to support addition, winds can be moist or dry.
dense forests, while regions with low The moisture content of the winds
and irregular precipitation are more influences plant growth. Hot dry winds
likely to have sparse grasslands or accelerate water loss from the plants
desert vegetation. For instance, areas and weaken the growth of vegetation.
that receive heavy and well distributed
precipitation throughout the year
have dense forests with different tree 2. Topographical factors
species. Typical examples are the Topography is the altitude or elevation of
Congo and Amazon basins. Areas an area. Topography includes factors like
with moderate or low and seasonal relief, slope, and aspect, which can create
rainfalls are dominated by grasslands microclimates that influence the types of
and scattered woodlands. vegetation present in an area.

(c) Sunshine: Sunshine is the primary (a) Relief: This refers to the difference in
source of energy for photosynthesis, elevation between two or more points
the process by which green plants use on the earth’s surface. The height of
sunlight to manufacture their food. the land determines temperature and
The availability of sunlight directly rainfall. As the altitude of an area
affects the rate of photosynthesis, increases, the microclimate changes,
which, in turn, influences the growth leading to the formation of different
and distribution of vegetation. The vegetation zones. This is distinct on
availability of sunshine is therefore, mountains. The vegetation ranges
critical because it influences the from grass to forests, bamboo, heath
distribution of vegetation across and moorland (Figure 4.17)
the world. It affects plant growth, (b) Slope: Steep slopes experience high
photosynthesis and the types of plant rates of soil erosion leading to the
communities that can thrive in a development of thin and shallow soils.
particular area.

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GEOGRAPHY (F1) TO PRESS.indd 63 18/10/2024 18:32:47