(a) Describe the characteristics of the tropical grassland vegetation (b) Outline the economic values of this vegetation type to the inhabitants of the regi...

(a) Characteristics of tropical grassland (savanna) vegetation

• It is dominated by tall grasses (up to 3-4 metres near the forest margin, shorter toward the desert) that turn green in the rains and brown in the dry season.
• Trees are scattered/isolated and short, drought-resistant (xerophytic) and deciduous, with features such as thick bark, small leaves, deep roots and flat crowns (e.g. acacia, baobab, shea).
• Vegetation shows a marked seasonal rhythm, growing luxuriantly in the wet season and drying up, often with bush fires, in the long dry season.
• Grass cover becomes thinner and shorter, and trees fewer, as one moves from the wetter forest edge toward the drier semi-desert margin.
• Trees often occur in gallery (fringing) forest along river banks where water is available all year.

(b) Economic values of savanna vegetation to the inhabitants

• Grazing land: the extensive grasses support cattle, sheep and goat rearing and pastoralism.
• Farmland: cleared and burnt land is used for growing crops such as grains (millet, guinea corn, maize), groundnuts and cotton.
• Timber, fuel and building materials: trees provide firewood, charcoal, poles and thatching grass.
• Economic tree products: shea butter, gum arabic, locust bean and fruits are collected and sold.
• Wildlife and tourism: the open grassland supports abundant game animals, encouraging game reserves, hunting and a tourist industry. It also supports beekeeping/honey collection.