(a) Describe three characteristics of forest vegetation (b) Outline three ways in which vegetation is important as an environmental resource (c) Highlight t...

(a) Three characteristics of forest vegetation

• Trees dominate and grow tall, forming a closed or nearly closed canopy so that the ground receives little sunlight.
• Layered (storeyed) structure, with emergent tall trees, a main canopy layer, and lower shrub and ground layers.
• Dense and varied plant life, many species of hardwood trees mixed together, with climbers (lianas), epiphytes and, in wet forests, broad evergreen leaves; the trees often have buttress roots.

(b) Three ways vegetation is important as an environmental resource

• Protects the soil and water: it binds the soil with roots, checks erosion, and helps rainfall to soak in, keeping rivers and springs supplied.
• Regulates climate and air quality: plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen, add moisture to the air, and moderate temperature, reducing the greenhouse effect.
• Habitat and raw materials: it provides a home for wildlife and supplies timber, fuel wood, medicines, fruits and grazing, which support human livelihood.

(c) Two problems from over-utilization of vegetation resources

• Deforestation leading to soil erosion and loss of fertility, flooding, silting of rivers and eventual desertification.
• Destruction of habitat and loss of biodiversity, so that wildlife and useful plant species become scarce or extinct, and the climate is disturbed.