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Difficulty: MediumMajor Vegetation Zones of Africa

Suppose a research expedition travels due north across the African continent along the 20°E meridian, starting from the Congo Basin near the Equator and terminating at the coast of North Africa. In what sequence will the expedition encounter these major vegetation zones from south to north?

  1. 1Tropical Rainforest
  2. 2Sudan Savanna
  3. 3Sahel Semi-Arid Scrub
  4. 4Mediterranean Woodland

Answer

The correct spatial sequence from south to north starting at the Equator is Tropical Rainforest, followed by Sudan Savanna, then Sahel Semi-Arid Scrub, and finally Mediterranean Woodland along the northern coast.
Traveling northward from the Equator (0°) toward North Africa, increasing distance from the Intertropical Convergence Zone causes rainfall to decrease and dry seasons to lengthen. This creates a distinct south-to-north latitudinal sequence: Tropical Rainforest, Sudan Savanna, Sahel Semi-Arid Scrub, and Mediterranean Woodland.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the Equatorial vegetation belt
Tropical Rainforest occupies the low-latitude humid region around the Equator (~0°).
High temperatures and heavy year-round rainfall in the Congo Basin support dense evergreen rainforest.
2
Trace the northward transition into savanna
Sudan Savanna lies north of the rainforest belt (~8°N to 12°N).
Decreasing annual rainfall and a seasonal dry period lead to open savanna woodland.
3
Identify the semi-arid desert border zone
Sahel Semi-Arid Scrub forms a narrow band (~12°N to 18°N) directly south of the Sahara Desert.
Low annual rainfall (~200–600 mm) supports only drought-resistant thorny acacias and sparse grasses.
4
Determine the northern coastal vegetation belt
Mediterranean Woodland covers the northernmost coast of North Africa (~30°N to 37°N).
Winter rainfall and dry summer conditions along the Mediterranean coast favor sclerophyllous shrubs and trees.

Key Concept

Latitudinal Zonation of African Vegetation Belts
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Topics

Major Vegetation Zones of Africa

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