Page 70 - Geography for Secondary Schools Student’s Book Form One

Geography for Secondary Schools
Student’s Book Form One

This results in poor plant growth. well drained support growth of vegetation.
Gentle slopes have deep and well Such soils favour growth of large trees
drained soils, resulting in the growth and thick forests. Areas with shallow soils
of vegetation. hardly support the growth of large and
long rooted trees but can support shrubs
(c) Aspect: Aspect is the orientation or and grasses. Soils with a lot of nutrients
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
direction of the slope toward sunshine and humus support growth of vegetation
and rainfall. Normally, the side of a slope than soils without or with low nutrients
exposed to the sun is warm; hence, it or humus.
supports plant growth. Less vegetation
grows on the slopes which are not exposed 4. Biotic factor
to sunshine. For example, in the northern Human activities can develop or destroy
hemisphere, north-facing slopes may vegetation of an area. Human practices such
receive less sunlight and have different as agroforestry, reforestation, afforestation,
plant communities than south-facing slopes and creation of forest reserves result in
and vice versa in the southern hemisphere. the development of vegetation. However,
human activities such as urbanisation,
agriculture, and the introduction of invasive
species alter vegetation types. Also,
deforestation, mining, and overgrazing
destroy vegetation. Moreover, some
animals, birds, and insects aid in pollination
and seed dispersion, leading to the growth
and distribution of vegetation on the earth’s
surface. For instance, burrowing animals
and earthworms create suitable conditions
for plant growth, by aerating and fertilizing
the soil.
Figure 4.17: An example of vegetation
zones on Mount Kilimanjaro Activity 4.8

(a) Study the vegetation zones found in
3. Edaphic factor
Tanzania by consulting the library
Soil is one of the most important ecological and internet sources.
factors called edaphic factor. The type and (b) Observe the vegetation found in the
quality of soil in an area determines the school and the nearby surrounding
type of vegetation found in that area. Some area.
plants are adapted to specific soil types,
while others can tolerate a broader range of (c) Draw the map of Tanzania and show
soil conditions. The soils, that are deep and the main vegetation zones found.

64

18/10/2024 18:32:47
GEOGRAPHY (F1) TO PRESS.indd 64 18/10/2024 18:32:47
GEOGRAPHY (F1) TO PRESS.indd 64