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

Answer Details

(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.