Plants that grow in Africa. The most unique trees. African inland waters

Africa is one of the largest continents (second in size only to Eurasia). Almost two equal halves it is divided by the equator line, respectively, from the tropics in the North, through the equator, and to the tropics in the South, this continent stretches (only the very outskirts of Africa are slightly subtropical). The climate can be perfectly imagined without long-winded opuses - heat with great intensity day/night. The nature of Africa should be considered by conditionally dividing it into North and South.

A billion people live on a huge area of ​​30.3 million square kilometers, a seemingly expanse of 30 square kilometers, but people live extremely unevenly across the continent. This is due to harsh climatic conditions and the availability of water (the shortage of high-quality drinking water reaches almost its apogee). More than two thirds of the population are poor. In the North - the Mediterranean Sea, East and Northeast - the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, West - Atlantic Ocean. Africa is unusual, harsh and amazing.

Flora of Africa

North Africa

Africa, located above the equator, is almost all on the Sahara Plate. The relief is a system of plateaus and plateaus with erosion pits that arose in this part of the continent in time immemorial. Before talking about the plants of North Africa, you need to clearly understand that in summer in this part of the continent it can be up to 60 degrees Celsius with a “+” mark, “cold” winter - from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Plants have evolved to grow in such conditions. Two subregions can be distinguished - the desert-tropical Sahara and the savannas of Sudan. About 1.2 thousand plant species have adapted to live in such extreme conditions - it is objectively clear that these are xerophytes and ephemerals; with rare exceptions, representatives of other species can be found.

South Africa

But South Africa is very special and more welcoming. More and more new plant species are taking root in this part of the continent, and now, for example, flowering plants - there are already more than 24,000 species. All of Europe together cannot compete with such diversity; this is almost 10% of the world's plants of this type.

The most favorable for them is a strip of 200 kilometers in width on the coast of the South-West of South Africa (vector - from West (Clanwilliam) to East (Port Elizabeth). The Cape kingdom of flora stretches over an area of ​​5.5 thousand square kilometers, which has a unique species composition plants.

There is no such concentration of so many plant species in a tiny area anywhere in the world. The flora of tropical rainforests stood nearby. For example, near Cape Town (Table Mountain) there are 1.5 thousand plant species in 60 square kilometers.

African fauna

North Africa

Both for plants and animals, North Africa is extremely harsh, demanding in terms of adaptability, the ability to survive and adapt to the most difficult conditions. Very few animals have chosen this region as their home. And those who have chosen are under constant threat of extinction. The following are disappearing: mammals - 40 species (9 species are already on the verge), birds - 10 species, reptiles - 7 species, fish - 1 species.

But although there are few animal species in the North, there are a lot of individuals of these few that were able to adapt. They are very mobile and travel for kilometers in search of food and food.

Typical animals of the Sahara, for example, are antelopes (oryx, addax), gazelles (dama, dorcas), mountain goat. The value of skins and edibility are the most terrible enemies of animals; they, more than other factors, served as the engine of their gradual movement towards extinction.

There are both migratory and local birds. The desert raven is especially common.

Snakes, turtles, lizards - represent the world of reptiles of North Africa. You can also find a crocodile in some natural water reservoirs.

South Africa

And again - the South is not the North, no matter how banal it sounds. The species diversity of the animal world of South Africa amazes any person. Home to more than 500 species of birds, about 100 species of reptiles, many amphibians and insects.

Many residents of other continents go there specifically to see the Big Five with their own eyes. These are lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros, elephant. They are a universally recognized calling card of Southern Africa.

The stunning diversity of fauna is abundantly represented by rare, exotic animals. Nowhere in the world are there so many stunning individuals. But there are also problems. The problem is the person himself. It exterminates, destroys, and interferes with amazing representatives of nature. Poaching, illegal shooting, and improper management are the enemies of animals in Southern Africa.

There's a lot to think about. After all, whether we show our children and grandchildren amazing images of individuals who existed with us but have passed into history, or maybe we show them to them with our own eyes, depends only on us.

26% - pastures and meadows,
14% - cattle livestock,
24% - livestock of small ruminants.

However, its share in world production of main types of agricultural products does not exceed 3-5%.

Only in certain types of tropical agriculture is Africa’s share significant:

33% - coffee,
39% - cassava,
46% - sisal,
67% - cocoa beans.

Cultivated lands account for 160 million hectares, natural meadows and pastures – approximately 800 million hectares. The agricultural system is diverse: from communal land tenure and feudal to plantation and cooperative. In general, African agriculture has an agricultural direction: in the structure of gross agricultural output, agriculture accounts for 75-80%.

African crop production

The leading role in crop production belongs to grain farming and the cultivation of tubers. Their share in gross agricultural output is 60-70%.

The main place in grain production is occupied by corn (36% of the total harvest), millet and sorghum (28%), wheat and rice (14% each). South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, and Sudan account for more than 50% of the grain harvest on the continent.

The production of tuber crops (for the domestic market) is developed in many areas (especially in forest areas and wet savannahs). Among tuber crops, cassava predominates (56%).

Vegetable growing (Egypt, Maghreb countries, South Africa), fruit growing (countries of North and South Africa), cultivation of oil palm (Tropical Africa), date palm (Egypt, Algeria), fiber crops (Egypt, Sudan, Uganda, Nigeria) are important. cocoa beans and coffee (Cote d, Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ethiopia).

African Livestock

Plays an important role in countries such as South Africa, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Somalia, Chad, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria. Livestock farming is the most backward part of agriculture, characterized by low productivity and marketability. So the average milk yield per cow is approximately 490 liters per year.

The introduction of mixed crop-livestock farming across much of Africa is hampered by the spread of the tsetse fly. The population’s traditions, according to which livestock is accumulated (as a measure of wealth), also have a negative impact.

African forestry

Africa accounts for 16% of the world's forested area and 15% of the world's hardwood reserves. The forest area of ​​the continent is approximately 630 million hectares. 99% of the forest area is occupied by deciduous and mixed forests. Most of the harvested wood is used for fuel. Only in Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa the share of industrial timber in harvesting reaches 45-55%. Up to 60-70% of the value of timber exports comes from round timber. Mostly red, ebony and similar wood are exported (25-35 species in total, depending on demand). Main exporters: Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Cameroon, Congo, Liberia.

African fisheries

In most African countries, fishing employs 1-2% of the economically active population, so fishing is not of great importance in solving the food problem. Over 50% of the catch comes from 5 countries: South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Tanzania and Ghana. More than 35% of the catch comes from inland waters.

In most countries, primitive tools (fishing rods, harpoons, tops) are used for fishing. Fish processing is developed only in South Africa. Fishmeal is exported fish fat, canned food, dried and dried fish.

Geography of Africa

Placement of agriculture.

Africa at the turn of the 1980s. had 12% of the world's cultivated land area, 26% of pastures and meadows, 14% of cattle and 24% of small livestock. However, its share in world production of main types of agricultural products does not exceed 3-5%. For certain types of tropical agricultural products (vanilla, cloves, cocoa beans, sisal, cashew nuts, palm kernels, etc.), Africa's share is significant (see Table 11).

Table 11. Agricultural production in Africa, thousand tons

				Share in world production (1983,%)	The largest producing countries; share in African production (1983,%)
Cereals	39910	53213	62730	3,8	South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria (36)
including:
wheat	5570	8106	8974	1,8	South Africa, Egypt, Morocco (64)
rice	4470	7422	8551	1,9	Madagascar, Egypt, Nigeria (65)
corn	12060	19091	22383	6,5	South Africa, Egypt (33)
millet and sorghum	19350	14200	17399	18,9	Nigeria, Sudan (41)
Tubers	51050	59340	86044	15,4	Nigeria, Zaire (51)
including:
cassava	30890	35653	48251	39,2	Nigeria, Zaire (51)
Legumes	…	4758	5783	13,2	Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt (39)
Unshelled peanuts	4080	4330	4099	20,7	Sudan, Senegal, Nigeria (49)
Sesame	300	510	477	23,0	Sudan (42)
cotton seed	1760	2420	3424	7,8	Egypt, Sudan (49)
Olive oil	190	143	186	11,9	Tunisia, Morocco (84)
Palm oil	920	1110	1351	23,0	BSK, Nigeria, Zaire (73)
Palm kernels	820	710	733	34,1	Nigeria, Zaire, Benin (68)
Raw sugar	2389	4896	6619	6,8	South Africa, Mauritius, Egypt (44)
Vegetables and melons	…	16559	25417	6,8	Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa (50)
Fruits	…	26539	32313	10,9	Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt (26)
including:
citrus	1830	5663	4741	8,3	Egypt, Morocco, South Africa (64)
pineapples	380	736	1257	14,5	BSK, South Africa, Zaire (59)
bananas	950	3771	4547	11,2	Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda (49)
Cashew nuts	…	309	164	35,1	Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania (71)
Coffee	769	1299	3389	33,5	BSK, Ethiopia, Uganda (55)
Cocoa beans	720	1109	3170	67,7	BSC, Nigeria, Ghana (77)
Tea	45	120	190	7,2	Kenya, Malawi (53)
Tobacco	220	203	318	5,2	Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi (65)
Sisal	370	391	179	46,6	Tanzania, Kenya (74)
Cotton fiber	920	1314	1203	8,2	Egypt, Sudan (51)
Natural rubber	145	192	180	4,7	Nigeria, Liberia (58)

Source:
"RAO Production Yearbook", Rome. 1980-1984.

Agriculture employs 64.8% of the economically active population (1982). In the structure of the GDP of a number of countries (Ghana, Tanzania, Sudan, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cameroon, Senegal), the share of agriculture is 30-50% (1980). Cultivated lands (1981) occupy 164.6 million hectares (5.4% of Africa's territory), land under permanent crops - 18.2 million hectares (0.6%), natural pastures and meadows - 783.9 million hectares (25%). Land potentially suitable for agriculture amounts to 500-700 million hectares. About 1/2 of the area in the savannah zone is subject to periodic droughts and desertification. IN equatorial zone overmoistening of the soil and its erosion hinder the development of field farming; The spread of the tsetse fly limits the development of livestock. Irrigated lands 8.6 million hectares (1981). Irrigated farming is carried out over a large area in Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Madagascar, Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa.

In the developing countries of the region, hand tools or tools driven by the power of draft animals predominate. The power supply of farms is only 0.1 liters. With. per 1 hectare of agricultural land. In Tropical Africa, cultivation is predominantly done by hoeing; in North and South Africa, cultivation is done by plowing. In 1982, 451 thousand tractors were used on the continent, including 181 thousand in South Africa, 44 thousand in Algeria, 35 thousand in Tunisia, 21 thousand in Zimbabwe, 25 thousand in Morocco, 26 thousand in Egypt. On average, 1 tractor (1981) accounts for 340 hectares of arable land. The fleet of grain combines (45 thousand), seeders, threshers and other machines is small. In a number of countries, rental of agricultural machinery is organized for peasant farms and cooperatives.

Africa's share of global mineral fertilizer consumption is about 3%. Main consumers: Mauritius, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Libya, Kenya, South Africa. Due to lack of storage space, Vehicle There are large losses of agricultural products (30-55% for grain). By the beginning of the 80s. There has been technological progress in agricultural production (the so-called green revolution). The use of hybrid high-yielding varieties of agricultural crops, chemicals plant protection, etc., mainly in large commercial farms, is often experimental in nature.

Usually 10-20% of the total planned investments in the economy are allocated for the development of agriculture, which does not exceed 10-15 dollars per 1 hectare of cultivated land (in South Africa up to 30 dollars). According to FAO calculations, to maintain what existed at the end of the 1970s. level of provision of agricultural products to African countries in the period until 1990, it is necessary to implement a broad comprehensive program (irrigation, development of new lands, mechanization, use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, etc.), providing for total allocations of 40 billion dollars (in 1975 prices) . At the same time, only 47% of the increase in agricultural production will be achieved through intensive farming methods.

Agrarian system African countries are characterized by the coexistence of different types of land tenure and agrarian relations: patriarchal-communal, feudal, small-scale commodity, national and foreign private capitalist, state capitalist, state and cooperative. Communal land tenure predominates in sub-Saharan Africa, where land is owned by collectives ( large families, clans, clans, tribes, villages). Feudal land tenure is the most strong positions saves in Arab countries North Africa, especially in Morocco. Private African land ownership - the basis of the small-scale commodity structure of the African village - develops from communal ownership on the basis of commercial rent, purchase and sale and mortgage of land. Private peasant land ownership has become widespread in Zaire, BSK, Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan (on a lease basis), Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and a number of other countries. In North Africa, private land ownership predominates over communal land ownership. There is a significant layer of agricultural capitalists in Morocco and Egypt (entrepreneurs from the cities and bourgeois landowners). Private capitalist land ownership by Africans occupies the strongest positions in the BSC, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. European land ownership dominates in South Africa, 87% of the territory is white settlement areas in which Africans cannot own land. Foreign capital retains its position in the agriculture of Liberia (rubber plantations), Kenya (production of grains, sisal), Gabon and some other countries. Foreign private capitalist land ownership is represented predominantly by large farms of European colonists and plantations foreign companies. In Tropical Africa, land ownership by European colonists was almost eliminated during agrarian reforms. Large tracts of European landholdings remain in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. The public sector in agriculture is represented in the form of state farms and plantations, development corporations, etc. The largest area of ​​land holdings of state agricultural enterprises is in Algeria, where there are 1,873 “self-governing” farms (“domains”), which are state farms with some features of a cooperative structure , occupied more than 1/3 of cultivated land (1980). State-owned agricultural enterprises also occupy significant areas in BSK (oil palm plantations of state agricultural companies Sodepalm, Palmivoir, etc.), Tanzania (nationalized foreign sisal, tea, sugar and other plantations), Congo, Benin. A special form of state land tenure is represented by farms on state irrigated lands in Sudan (El-Gezira, El-Manakil, Khashm el-Girba, Rahad, Sukhi, Tokar, Gash, Nuba Mountains, etc.), where farmers rent land from the government for fixed fee. In many socialist-oriented countries, the cooperative (often state-cooperative) sector of the economy is developing, although its share in the gross agricultural product and agricultural land is insignificant. So, in Algeria in the late 1970s. More than 6.5 thousand cooperatives were created, covering about 100 thousand. peasant families. In Tanzania, over 50% of the country's population works in cooperative settlements (ujamaa). The cooperative movement is growing in Ethiopia. The number of marketing cooperatives in Congo, Benin, and Guinea is growing. The subsistence sector occupies a prominent place in the structure of the gross agricultural product in many countries. At the end of the 1970s. in Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi it accounted for 40-60% of the gross agricultural product. Products of the commodity sector predominate in the gross agricultural product of countries with export-oriented agricultural production, as well as a developed domestic market. The marketable agricultural product in most countries is 50-80% formed from the products of small peasant farms, which make up 98% of farms of all types. In Egypt, the average farm area is 1.5 hectares. In densely populated areas Tropical Africa the peasant uses only 0.2-0.8 hectares for crops. Only in some countries (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Algeria) large farms - plantations, state farms, farms - play a major role in the production of certain types of agricultural products.

Agricultural production.
The predominance of backward agrarian relations and the weakness of the material and technical base determined the low level of productive social labor. In general, African agriculture has an agricultural direction: in the structure of gross agricultural output, agriculture accounts for 75-80%. In many areas of the continent, extensive forms of land use dominate. In forest and savannah areas they prevail various options shifting farming system. The fields are dominated by mixed crops of grains, legumes and tubers. This is the agriculture of some peoples in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the Bantustans of South Africa.

An example of a semi-intensive farming system is the terrace farming of the peoples of Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi, Northern Nigeria and Northern Cameroon, the inhabitants of the island of Ukara on Lake Victoria. The use of crop rotations between grain crops and legumes allows the use of terraces almost constantly with annual breaks for fallow. Semi-intensive forms include African plantation farming in Ghana, Nigeria, BSK, Cameroon, Uganda and other countries, in which the cultivation of annual and biennial food crops using shift farming methods is combined with the cultivation of plantation perennial crops - coffee, cocoa, rubber, oil palm and others in permanent areas. This is the agriculture of the peoples in southwestern Nigeria, on the slopes of Elgon in Uganda.

Intensive irrigated agriculture is represented on the widest scale in Egypt, where two irrigation systems are used: the old one - basin irrigation and the new one based on the creation of irrigation canals. Already in the middle of the 19th century. the total length of irrigation canals in Egypt reached 13 thousand km. In the XIX-XX centuries. A series of dams were built on the Nile River for irrigation purposes, the largest of which was the Aswan High Dam. Irrigated agriculture is also represented in Mali (state irrigation systems "Office du Nizher"), Sudan and other countries.

Mixed agricultural-livestock (farming) commercial economy is represented by capitalist farms of the local European population in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, where hired labor, machinery, mineral and organic fertilizers. Mixed agricultural and livestock small-scale farming is typical for certain regions of Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mali, Cameroon, Madagascar, and Angola.

Plant growing.
The leading role in crop production belongs to grain farming and the cultivation of tubers. In the mid-70s. their share in Africa's gross agricultural output averaged 60-70%.

The main place in grain production is occupied (1983) by corn (36% of the total grain harvest), millet and sorghum (28%), wheat (14%), rice (14%). Local types of cereals are also grown (for example, teff, which is close to millet in Ethiopia). South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, and Sudan account for over 50% of the grain harvest on the continent.

Pulses play an important role in the formation of food and feed resources in many African countries. In Tropical Africa, “cow peas”, “faba beans”, “pigeon peas”, “chicken peas”, mung bean, woanja, lima beans, soybeans in South Africa, lentils and lupines in North Africa are grown for local consumption.

The main areas for the cultivation of grain and legumes are the coastal lowlands of the subtropics, the savannah zone, the plains of the plateau and highlands.

The production of tuber crops (cassava, yams, sweet potatoes, taro, potatoes) mainly for local consumption is a traditional area of ​​agriculture in many areas of Africa (especially in forest and humid savanna areas). Among tuber crops, cassava dominates, accounting for 56% of the production of these crops.

Vegetable growing is developed in many countries, in particular in Egypt, where large quantities of tomatoes and onions are produced on irrigated lands for export. In the Maghreb countries, in areas adjacent to the sea, lettuce, cabbage, radishes and other early vegetables are grown for export to Europe. Vegetable growing is also developed in South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Kenya.

In fruit growing, the most important place is occupied by the production of citrus fruits in the Mediterranean countries, as well as in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The countries of Northern and Southern Africa also produce the bulk of temperate zone fruits (apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots). In BSK, Kenya, South Africa and some other countries, plantation pineapple crops are grown; in the countries of Tropical Africa - mango, avocado and papaya. Viticulture and winemaking are developed in the Maghreb countries and South Africa and are export-oriented. The main producers of banana fruit varieties for export: Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, Angola, BSK, Kenya, Somalia, Egypt. The harvest of vegetable bananas (“planten”) is almost entirely consumed by the indigenous population.

Date palm cultivation is one of the main branches of crop production in oases of desert and semi-desert regions. In 1983, the date harvest reached 1,066 thousand tons (38% of the world), including 440 thousand tons in Egypt and 210 thousand tons in Algeria.

Oilseed production is one of the main economic sectors of many African countries, especially in Tropical Africa. In savannah areas of moderate moisture, the main food and export oil and fat crop is peanuts (mainly in Senegal, Nigeria, Niger, Gambia). The oil palm is the main oil-bearing plant in forested areas of tropical Africa. Palm oil production and palm kernel collection largest sizes reaches BSK, Nigeria and Zaire, and in Nigeria almost all products come from wild and semi-cultivated trees, and in BSK and Zaire - from plantations.

For a number of African countries, one of the main areas of agriculture is the production of fiber crops - cotton, sisal, kenaf. Among them, the most important is cotton, which is cultivated in 30 countries of the continent. In Egypt and Sudan, the share of cotton growing in the value of agricultural products reaches 36% and 27%, respectively (mainly fine- and long-fiber varieties). In Ethiopia, the Awash River Basin Development Project is creating extensive state-owned cotton plantations. Other significant producers are Uganda and Nigeria. Africa dominates world sisal production (Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique and Kenya).

Sugar cane is the main raw material for sugar production in Tropical Africa, South Africa and Egypt. The leading role in sugar production belongs to South Africa (the province of Natal and the bantustan of KwaZululand). The economy of the islands of Mauritius and Reunion specializes in the production of sugar for export. Other large producers of cane sugar: Egypt, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Ethiopia, Madagascar. Sugar beets are cultivated in Egypt in the Nile Delta and, for example, in the plains of Morocco.

The largest producers of cocoa beans: BSK, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon. Coffee is grown in approximately 25 African countries, among which the leading countries are BSK, Ethiopia, Uganda, Angola, Kenya and Tanzania. In mountainous areas East Africa Arabica coffee is grown, while in other countries the Robusta variety is grown. Tea production is growing rapidly in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda, and Mozambique.

Tobacco production is most developed in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and South Africa. Cultivation of the rubber plant Hevea is in Liberia, Nigeria, Zaire and Cameroon. A significant portion of rubber production comes from foreign plantations.

The production of herbs and spices is typical for the countries of East Africa and is especially developed on the adjacent islands of the Indian Ocean.

Livestock plays an important role in the economy of countries such as South Africa, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Somalia, Chad, Botswana, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Nigeria. Livestock farming is the most backward branch of agriculture, characterized by the extremely extensive nature of production, low productivity and marketability. The average meat yield is (1983, kg per head of livestock): cattle 141, sheep 13, goats 12; average annual milk yield per cow is 483 liters. Therefore, although Africa accounts for a significant portion of the world's livestock, its share of global livestock production is low (see Table 12).

Table 12. Livestock numbers and production of major livestock products in Africa

				Share of world livestock and production (1983.%)	Countries with the largest livestock and production (1983,%)
Number of livestock, thousand
Cattle	116820	156850	174333	14,2	Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania (49)
Buffaloes	1840	2070	2393	1,9	Egypt (100)
Donkeys	11910	10910	12053	30,2	Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco (60)
Mules	1900	2115	2245	15,0	Ethiopia (65)
Goats	104480	119010	156801	32,9	Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia (51)
Sheep	137725	142940	190307	16,7	Ethiopia, Sudan, Morocco, South Africa (47)
Horses	3500	3920	3752	5,8	Ethiopia, Morocco, Nigeria (57)
Camels	7635	10140	12557	74,0	Somalia, Sudan (65)
Pigs	5040	6635	11045	1,4	South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon (36)
Livestock products, thousand tons
Meat	2550	4634	7178	5,1	South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt (34)
Cow's milk	9200	9950	10678	2,3	South Africa, Kenya, Sudan (46)
Butter	90	142	151	1,9	Egypt, Kenya (47)
Unwashed wool	174	163	207	7,2	South Africa (51)
Hides and skins	450	590	737	9,3	Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa (33)

Source:
"RAO Production Yearbook 1983", Rome, 1984.

The introduction of mixed farming and livestock farming in most of Tropical Africa is hampered by the spread of the tsetse fly. In areas intensively infected with it, it is almost impossible to raise cattle. The conservative traditions of the indigenous population, such as the desire for maximum accumulation of cattle (as a measure of wealth), reluctance to sell or slaughter them for meat and culling inferior animals, also have a negative impact on the state of the industry.

Nomadic and semi-nomadic livestock farming predominates in vast arid and semi-arid zones, where farming is excluded or difficult. All nomadic peoples are characterized by periodic seasonal (“large”) and non-periodic (“small”) migrations in search of pastures and water, and the absence of permanent settlements. One of the most important problems of African countries is the transition of nomads to settling down: activities in this direction are being carried out in Algeria, Ethiopia and a number of other countries.

Transhumance-pastoral livestock farming is typical mainly for agricultural and livestock-raising areas free from tsetse flies. Agricultural and livestock farming is common in the countries of North Africa (except Libya) and South Africa, as well as in some areas of Tropical Africa (Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Senegal, Zaire, Kenya, Zambia). During the rainy season and at the beginning of the dry season, livestock graze near villages on pastures and other lands not occupied by agricultural crops. During the dry season, livestock are driven to permanent sources of water.

Integrated agricultural and livestock farming is represented by separate large private capitalist farms (European and African).

V. P. Morozov, I. A. Svanidze.

Food problem- one of the most pressing problems modern stage socio-economic development of African countries. In conditions of rapid population growth and the transition of most of it to a European-style diet, extensive African agriculture, based on backward agrarian relations and a weak material and technical base, is unable to satisfy the growing needs of society for food. During 1980-84, the average annual growth rate of food production in developing countries in Africa was 1.1%, which is significantly lower than the population growth rate. During this period, per capita food consumption decreased by 15-20%, despite constantly growing food imports. In 1980-85, under the influence of severe drought that engulfed various parts of the continent, the trend towards deterioration in the food situation manifested itself especially sharply. By 1985, 150 million people were starving or malnourished in drought-stricken areas (67 million in 1970, 93 million in 1982).

According to FAO estimates, the average daily caloric intake of an African does not exceed 2,200 kcal, which is below the minimum daily requirement. The main part of the diet consists of products of plant origin: tubers, in the savannah zone - peanuts, cotton seeds, sesame, sunflower; in the forest zone - oil palm, nuts; in the subtropics - olives, sunflowers. In some areas of the continent, diets are characterized by a lack of iron and iodine. With diets based on carotene-poor foods, vitamin A deficiency develops, leading to eye diseases. The specific disease beriberi, which is a consequence of a lack of vitamin B, is common in areas where the basis of nutrition is refined grains.

The development of industry in the region and the growth of urbanization lead not only to a quantitative increase in food needs, but also to a qualitative change in the diet, in which the share of dairy, meat, fish products, as well as industrially processed food products is gradually increasing. Under these conditions, for many countries, food imports are the main means of filling food shortages. For the 1970-80s. The import of grain and meat by African countries tripled. 2/3 of grain imports come from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, and Libya. Food imports also play an important role in Tunisia, Benin, Mozambique, Angola, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, BSK, Lesotho, Mauritania, Senegal, Zaire, and the island states of Africa.

A. P. Morozov.

Cotton plantation in Mozambique.

Cotton processing in Chad.

Cotton harvest in Cameroon.

Flood rice cultivation in Madagascar.

Rice terraces of the central plateau in Madagascar.

Irrigation dam in Dar al-Muzai.
Algeria.

Pyramids of bags of peanuts.
Niger.

Picking pineapples in the BSK.

Sisal cutting.
Mozambique.

Cassava (cassava) field.
Burundi.

Drying sisal.
Madagascar.

Tea harvesting on nationalized plantations.
Mozambique.

Soviet Belarus tractor used in Ghanaian agriculture.

Sugarcane plantation in the Jinja region.
Uganda.

Wheat fields and pastures in the Cape Province.
SOUTH AFRICA.

Herd of cattle.

Trade fair for the sale of cattle in Madagascar.

Sheep farming in the foothills of the mountain range.
Kenya.

Establishing a coconut palm plantation.
Mozambique.

On experimental plantations of the National Institute of Oilseeds.
Benin.

Coconut palm plantation.
Sierra Leone.

Hevea plantation.
BSK.

Harvesting copra on a coconut palm plantation.
Tanzania.

Encyclopedic reference book "Africa". - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. Chief Editor An. A. Gromyko. 1986-1987.

In South Africa, the agricultural sector of the economy is very well developed. A country
completely self-sufficient in agricultural products. In addition, South Africa constantly sells agricultural products for export.

This economic sector is one of the main ones for South Africa. The products of enterprises involved in the processing of primary agricultural products account for about 20% of GDP. Currently, more than 1 million people are employed in the South African agricultural sector.

The basis of the country's agriculture is agriculture. Only about 22% of the territory can potentially be used for crop cultivation. South Africa has problems with fresh water availability. Its resources are small, but the need for fresh water is growing every year. Despite all this, agriculture in South Africa continues to develop.

The main agricultural crops of South Africa are cereals (corn, wheat), which are also grown here different types fruits, grapes and sugar cane.

In livestock farming, meat and dairy production is most developed. It is practiced in the north and east of the Free State province, in the interior of Khoteng province, and is also common in the southern part of Mpumalanga province. In the Northern and Eastern Cape, meat breeds predominate. In the dry areas of the Northern and Eastern Cape, the Free State and Mpumalanga, sheep are actively raised. The country actively exports astrakhan fur.

Angora goats are also bred in large numbers in South Africa. The country accounts for 50% of the world's mohair production. The Boer goat breed is also common here and is bred for meat.

Poultry and pig farming in South Africa is common on farms near large cities: Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

In the Free State province, ostrich farming has begun to develop in recent years. South Africa continues to gradually increase its exports of poultry meat, skin and feathers.

Agriculture- a branch of the economy aimed at providing the population with food (food, food) and obtaining raw materials for a number of industries. The industry is one of the most important, represented in almost all countries. Global agriculture employs about 1 billion economically active people (EAP).

The food security of the state depends on the state of the industry. The problems of agriculture are directly or indirectly related to such sciences as agronomy, animal husbandry, land reclamation, crop production, forestry, etc.

The emergence of agriculture is associated with the so-called “Neolithic revolution” in the means of production, which began about 12 thousand years ago and led to the emergence of a productive economy and the subsequent development of civilization.

The leading countries in the production and consumption of agricultural products are the United States of America and members of the European Union.

History of agricultural development

Ancient Egypt. 1200 BC e.

Agriculture, with the domestication of animals and the cultivation of plants, dates back to at least 10,000 years ago, first in the Fertile Crescent region and then in China. Agriculture has undergone significant changes since early farming. In Western Asia, Egypt, and India, the first systematic cultivation and collection of plants that had previously been collected in the wild began. Initially, agriculture impoverished the people's diet - of the several dozen constantly consumed plants, a small proportion turned out to be suitable for agriculture.

Independent development of agriculture occurred in Northern and Southern China, Africa - the Sahel, New Guinea, parts of India and several regions of the Americas. Agricultural practices such as irrigation, crop rotation, fertilizers, and pesticides were developed a long time ago but only made great strides in the 20th century. Anthropological and archaeological evidence from different places Southwest Asia and North Africa indicate the use of wild grains about 20 thousand years ago.

In China, rice and millet were domesticated in 8000 BC. e., with the subsequent domestication of legumes and soybeans. In the Sahel region, local rice and sorghum were indigenous by 5000 BC. e. Potatoes and sweet potatoes were also domesticated there. Local crops were independently domesticated in West Africa and possibly in New Guinea and Ethiopia. Evidence for the presence of wheat and some legumes in the 6th millennium BC. e. were found in the Indus Valley. Oranges have been cultivated for the same millennia. Of the crops grown in the valley around 4000 BC. e. There were, as a rule, wheat, peas, sesame seeds, barley, dates and mangoes. By 3500 BC. e. Cotton and textile cultivation were quite advanced in the valley. By 3000 BC. e. Rice cultivation began. Cane sugar also began to be grown at the same time. By 2500 BC. e. rice is an important food item in Mohenjo-daro near Arabian Sea. The Indians had large cities with well-equipped granaries. Three regions of America independently domesticated corn, squash, potatoes, red peppers and sunflowers. In Southeast Asia, yams and taro began to be grown.

The domestication of local animals also moved forward: in China, buffalo were domesticated for plowing the land, and waste was given to pigs and chickens; in Southeast Asia, goats, pigs, sheep and cattle began to be raised to dispose of waste and obtain fertilizer and manure.

If agriculture is understood as large-scale intensive cultivation of land, monocultures, organized irrigation, and the use of specialized labor, the title of "inventors of agriculture" can be attributed to the Sumerians, starting in 5500 BC. Intensive agriculture allows for much higher population densities than hunting and gathering methods, and also allows for the accumulation of surplus produce for off-season use, or sale/exchange. Possibility of farmers able to feed big number people whose activities have nothing to do with agriculture became a decisive factor in the emergence of standing armies.

Since the 15th century, as a result of European colonization of lands around the world, the so-called Columbus exchange began. During this period, the basis of the diet of the common people was the products of local agriculture, and crops and animals that were previously known only in the Old World were introduced to the New World, and vice versa. In particular, the tomato has become widespread in European cuisine. Corn and potatoes also became known to the broad masses of Europeans. Due to the onset of international trade, the variety of crops grown decreased: instead of many small crops, the land began to be sown with huge fields of monocultures, such as banana, sugar cane and cocoa plantations.

With the rapid growth of mechanization in the late 19th and 20th centuries, tractors and, later, combines made it possible to carry out agricultural work at previously impossible speeds and on an enormous scale. Thanks to the development of transport and progress in developed countries, the population can consume fruits, vegetables and other food products brought from other countries all year round. However, crop diversity leaves much to be desired: the UN estimates that among plant foods, 95 percent of people's energy comes from 30 crops.

The role of agriculture in the economy

Processing arable land with a tractor.

Sweden

The development and productivity of agricultural production affects the balance of the state’s economy, the political situation in it, and its food independence. At the same time, agriculture in a market economy is not able to fully compete with other industries, therefore the level and effectiveness of its support from the state correlates with the well-being of the state itself. Support measures may include:

• maintaining certain prices for different types of agricultural products (market price regulation ensures the profitability of production) through control of foreign trade and other instruments;
• allocation of subsidies, compensation payments;
• preferential lending to peasants;
• preferential taxation of agricultural organizations;
• financing scientific research, education and advanced training of agricultural workers;
• measures to attract foreign direct investment;
• development of rural infrastructure;
• land reclamation and irrigation projects;
• development of regulations.

Most developed countries consider supporting agricultural producers a priority in agricultural policy. In the European Union countries in recent years, the level of agricultural financing amounted to 300 US dollars per 1 hectare of farmland, in Japan - 473 dollars/ha, in the USA - 324 dollars/ha, in Canada - 188 dollars/ha, in Russia - 10 dollars/ha. The total budget support for producers of the value of gross agricultural output in economically developed countries is 32-35%, but in Russia and developing countries it is no more than 7%.

The role of agriculture in the economy of a country or region shows its structure and level of development. As indicators of the role of agriculture, the share of people employed in agriculture among the economically active population, as well as the share of agriculture in the structure of the gross domestic product, are used. These indicators are quite high in most developing countries, where more than half of the economically active population is employed in agriculture. Agriculture there follows an extensive development path, that is, an increase in production is achieved by expanding the acreage, increasing the number of livestock, and increasing the number of people employed in agriculture. In countries whose economies are agricultural, the rates of mechanization, chemicalization, land reclamation, etc. are low.

Most high level Agriculture has reached the developed countries of Europe and North America, which have entered the post-industrial stage. Agriculture employs 2-6% of the economically active population there. In these countries, the “green revolution” occurred back in the middle of the 20th century; agriculture is characterized by science-based organization, increased productivity, the use of new technologies, agricultural machinery systems, pesticides and mineral fertilizers, the use of genetic engineering and biotechnology, robotics and electronics, that is develops along an intensive path.

Similar progressive changes are also occurring in industrial countries, but the level of intensification in them is still much lower, and the share of people employed in agriculture is higher than in post-industrial countries.

At the same time, in developed countries there is a crisis of food overproduction, and in agricultural countries, on the contrary, one of the most pressing problems is the food problem (the problem of malnutrition and hunger).

Developed agriculture is one of the country's security factors, as it makes it less dependent on other countries. For this reason, agriculture is supported and subsidized in developed, industrial countries, although from an economic point of view it would be more profitable to import products from less developed countries.

Industry and regional features

Tea plantations on the island of Java

The agricultural sector has the following main features:

1. The economic process of reproduction is intertwined with the natural process of growth and development of living organisms, developing on the basis of biological laws.
2. The cyclical process of natural growth and development of plants and animals has determined the seasonality of agricultural work.
3. Unlike industry technological process in agriculture it is closely connected with nature, where land acts as the main means of production.

FAO experts note that 78% of the earth's surface experiences serious natural limitations for the development of agriculture, 13% of areas are characterized by low productivity, 6% average and 3% high. In 2009, 37.6% of all land was used in agriculture, of which 10.6% was plowed, 25.8% was used for pastures, and another 1.2% was used for permanent crops. Features of the agro-resource situation and agricultural specialization vary significantly by region. There are several thermal zones, each of which is characterized by a unique set of crop and livestock sectors:

1. Cold belt occupies vast areas in northern Eurasia and North America. Agriculture here is limited by lack of heat and permafrost. Crop growing here is possible only in closed ground conditions, and reindeer husbandry develops on low-productive pastures.
2. Cool Belt covers large areas of Eurasia and North America, as well as a narrow strip in the southern Andes in South America. Insignificant heat resources limit the range of crops that can be grown here (early ripening crops - gray grain, vegetables, some root crops, early potatoes). Agriculture is local in nature.
3. Temperate zone in the southern hemisphere it is represented in Patagonia, on the coast of Chile, the islands of Tasmania and New Zealand, and in the north it occupies almost all of Europe (except for the southern peninsulas), the south of Siberia and the Far East, Mongolia, Tibet, northeast China, southern Canada, and the northeastern states of the USA. This is a belt of mass farming. Almost all territories suitable for the relief are occupied by arable land; its specific area reaches 60-70%. There is a wide range of crops grown here: wheat, barley, rye, oats, flax, potatoes, vegetables, root crops, and forage grasses. In the southern part of the belt, corn, sunflowers, rice, grapes, fruit and fruit trees grow. Pastures are limited in area; they dominate in the mountains and arid zones, where transhumance and camel breeding are developed.
4. Warm belt corresponds to subtropical geographical zone and is represented on all continents except Antarctica: it covers the Mediterranean, most territories of the USA, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, southern Africa and Australia, Southern China. Two crops are grown here per year: in winter - temperate crops (cereals, vegetables); in summer - tropical annuals (cotton) or perennials (olive tree, citrus fruits, tea, walnuts, figs, etc.). Low-productive pastures that are heavily degraded by uncontrolled grazing dominate here.
5. Hot belt occupies vast areas of Africa, South America, northern and central Australia, the Malay Archipelago, the Arabian Peninsula, and South Asia. Coffee and chocolate trees, date palms, sweet potatoes, cassava, etc. are grown. In the subarid zones there are huge pastures with poor vegetation.

Agriculture structure

Milking cows by hand on a pasture when they are kept outdoors in the summer.

On an experimental pig farm. GDR.

Agriculture is part of the agro-industrial complex and includes the following main sectors:

• mushroom growing
• livestock farming
  • fur farming
    • rabbit breeding
  • aquaculture
    • fish farming
  • camel breeding
  • goat breeding
  • horse breeding
  • mule breeding
  • sheep breeding
  • reindeer husbandry
  • poultry farming
  • beekeeping
  • pig farming
  • cattle breeding (raising cattle)
  • bumblebee farming
• Feed production
  • grassland farming - obtaining suitable pastures and feed for livestock.
• crop production
  • viticulture
  • vegetable growing and melon growing
  • gardening
    • fruit growing
    • ornamental gardening

Crops production

Vegetable and melon growing is engaged in the production of the following vegetable and melon crops:

• potato;
• leaf crops: cabbage, lettuce, spinach, dill, leaf parsley, etc.;
• fruit crops: tomato, cucumber, pumpkin, zucchini, squash, eggplant, pepper;
• bulbous crops: onions and garlic;
• root vegetables: carrots, beets, parsnips, parsley, celery, turnips, radishes, etc.;
• melons: watermelon, melon, pumpkin, etc.

Crop farming is engaged in the production of the following crops:

• grain crops: wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, corn, buckwheat, sorghum, etc.;
• grain legumes: peas, beans, lentils, soybeans, etc.;
• forage crops: forage grasses, silage crops, forage root crops, forage melons;
• industrial crops
  • food crops: sugar cane, sugar beet, starch-bearing crops, medicinal plants;
  • textile crops: cotton, flax, jute, hemp;
  • rubber plants: Hevea;
• tonic crops: tea, coffee, cocoa;
• oilseeds and essential oil crops
  • oilseeds: sunflower, castor bean, mustard, rapeseed, sesame, camelina (plant), hemp, flax, coconut palm, oil palm, olive tree;
  • essential oil crops: coriander, anise, cumin, etc.

Administrative structure of agriculture in the Russian Federation

In Russia, a special ministry is responsible for the functioning of agriculture, which subordinates 14 departments, Rosselkhoznadzor, Rosrybolovstvo, as well as some subordinate organizations.

Environmental problems of agriculture

Agriculture has a greater impact on the natural environment than any other industry. The reason for this is that agriculture requires huge areas of land. As a result, the landscapes of entire continents are changing. Grew up on the Great Chinese Plain subtropical forest, passing in the north into the Ussuri taiga, and in the south into the jungles of Indochina. In Europe, the agricultural landscape has replaced broadleaf forests, in Ukraine, fields replaced steppes.

Agricultural landscapes have proven to be unsustainable, leading to a number of local and regional environmental disasters. Thus, improper reclamation caused soil salinization and the loss of most of the cultivated lands of Ancient Mesopotamia, deep plowing led to dust storms in Kazakhstan and America, overgrazing and agriculture led to desertification in the Sahel zone in Africa.

Agriculture has the greatest impact on the natural environment. Its influencing factors are:

• mixing natural vegetation on farmland, plowing land;
• tillage (loosening) of the soil, especially using a moldboard plow;
• use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides (pesticides);
• land reclamation.

And the strongest impact is on the soils themselves:

• destruction of soil ecosystems;
• loss of humus;
• destruction of structure and soil compaction;
• water and wind soil erosion.

There are certain methods and technologies of farming that mitigate or completely eliminate negative factors, for example, precision farming technologies.

Livestock farming has less impact on the environment. Its influencing factors are:

• overgrazing, that is, grazing of livestock in quantities exceeding the ability of pastures to recover;
• unprocessed waste from livestock farms.

Common disturbances caused by agricultural activities include:

• pollution of surface waters (rivers, lakes, seas) and degradation of aquatic ecosystems due to eutrophication; groundwater pollution;
• deforestation and degradation forest ecosystems(deforestation);
• disruption of the water regime in large areas (during drainage or irrigation);
• desertification as a result of complex disturbance of soils and vegetation;
• destruction of natural habitats of many species of living organisms and, as a consequence, extinction and disappearance of rare and other species.

In the second half of the 20th century, another problem became relevant: a decrease in the content of vitamins and microelements in crop products and the accumulation of harmful substances (nitrates, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, etc.) in both crop and livestock products. The reason is soil degradation, which leads to a decrease in the level of microelements and intensification of production, especially in livestock farming.

According to the results of the “Audit of the effectiveness of environmental protection in the Russian Federation in 2005-2007” published by the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, approximately one sixth of the country’s territory, where more than 60 million people live, is environmentally unfavorable.

Ways to solve environmental problems in agriculture

First of all, the main path to the solution environmental problems lies in improving the culture of land use, in forming a more responsible approach to natural resources. One of the ways to this could be the development of private farms, where land is transferred into ownership for a long time, which serves as an incentive to preserve its productive potential (solving the problem of the tragedy of the commons through privatization).

• Precision farming
• Conservation agriculture
• Organic farming
• Genetic Engineering
• Homobiotic turnover
• Chemicalization of agriculture
• Permaculture

The future of agriculture

• Currently, research is underway to improve forms of farming; using selection methods and genetic engineering, new species of plants and animals are being developed that are more resistant to pests, resilient, and have higher productive qualities.
• Konstantin Tsiolkovsky argued at the beginning of the 20th century that deep space exploration is impossible without the creation of autonomous stations capable of independently producing oxygen and food products.
• In the long term, the possibility of terraforming planets is being considered to create conditions on them suitable for life and maintain a biosphere familiar to humans.

Codes in knowledge classification systems

• UDC 63.
• State rubricator of scientific and technical information of Russia (as of 2001): 68 AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY.

see also

Notes

Literature

• Gorkin A.P. (Chief Ed.). Agriculture // Geography: Modern illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Rosman, 2006. - 624 p. - ISBN 5353024435.
• Agriculture // Great Soviet Encyclopedia: / Ch. ed. A. M. Prokhorov. - 3rd ed. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969-1978.
• The Oxford Companion to Food / Alan Davidson, Tom Jaine. - Oxford University Press, 2014. - ISBN 978-0-19-104072-6.

Links

• Final results of the 2006 All-Russian Agricultural Census of Russia
• Agroecological atlas of Russia and neighboring countries: agricultural plants, their pests, diseases and weeds (inaccessible link from 03/17/2016)
• Analysis of development and plowing of agricultural land Comparative analysis agricultural development, plowed agricultural land and land area per capita different countries

November 14, 2012, 10:39

Each type of tree is unique in its own way. There are about 100,000 various types trees, including a quarter of all living plant species on Earth. But among the billions of trees around the world, there are completely unique and amazing representatives. Baobabs


The majestic baobabs of Madagascar are very beautiful trees that can survive very severe drought. They grow mainly in Africa. These baobabs grow on the wonderful island of Socotra. bottle tree And this is a distant relative of the baobab, the Australian bottle tree. In Australia, in the driest areas in the north of Queensland, bottle trees grow, which, like baobabs, can store water in the trunk. They really look like a bottle. Only this “bottle” has two compartments. At the bottom of the trunk, between the bark and the wood, there is a reservoir that holds a significant amount of water. Another reservoir is placed in the middle part of the trunk - however, it does not contain water, but a large amount of sweetish, thick, jelly-like juice, very healthy and nutritious. These trees reach 15 meters in height and 1.8 meters in diameter. Bottle tree of Socotra Island.
also known as Desert Rose. Dragon Tree The Dragon Tree in Icod de los Vinos in Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands, is unique representative of this type. It is believed to be between 650 and 1,500 years old, but experts find it difficult to make exact conclusions since it has more than one trunk. Rather, it consists of many small trunks that hold onto each other as they grow upward. The tree has a dense canopy of leaves and gets its name from the resin that is released when its bark and leaves are cut away. Residents believe that this is dried dragon blood and have been using it to treat various ailments since ancient times. Dragon trees on Socotra island. The branches of these trees expand towards the sky, and from below they resemble many flying saucers... From above, they look like huge mushrooms. The fact is that for the last 6 - 7 million years, the Socotra archipelago has been isolated from the African mainland, which could not but affect the development of its flora and fauna. Also among interesting plants Socotra - strange and extremely rare Cucumber Tree
This is a plant with prickly wrinkled leaves, spiky fruits similar to ordinary cucumbers and a thick trunk swollen with milky juice. The disproportion between the height and thickness of the trunk, as well as the scant foliage cover, give it a funny appearance. Some specimens do not exceed one and a half meters in height, and have a much larger diameter. Wood flask Its scientific name is moringa and it grows in Africa. When it rains, the jar tree can absorb and retain enormous amounts of water, so it often becomes pot-bellied. The flag tree can grow up to 6 meters in height. Spiny phagara
The unusual fagara tree is a resident of moist evergreen forests east coast South Africa and Transvaal. Its trunk is literally strewn with eight-centimeter cones with sharp spikes at the end, similar to short massive cow horns. The maximum diameter of the tree reaches half a meter, and the height sometimes exceeds 20 meters. African tulip tree One of the most beautifully flowering plants in the world is the African tulip tree or Spatodea campanulate. Collected in lush inflorescences, the flowers of this tree are orange-red in color and resemble tulip flowers in shape. The tulip tree reaches a height of 7 to 25 meters and is native to dry tropical forests Africa. The open, cup-shaped flowers retain moisture from dew rain, which attracts many species of birds, and the nectar is popular with birds. Another beautiful flowering tree Delonix royal
It has many more names, such as fire tree, fire tree, red flame, peacock flower and phoenix tail. Can be found anywhere where the climate is tropical. But his homeland is Madagascar.
Jacaranda
His homeland is Brazil.
These tall, spreading trees, reaching 15 meters, are one of the favorite decorative elements of streets, squares and public gardens in Argentina and Buenos Aires. Rainbow eucalyptus This is the only species of eucalyptus native to the northern hemisphere. The rainbow eucalyptus is native to the Philippine Islands. In addition to the fact that eucalyptus grows up to 70 meters in height, it also shines with all the colors of the rainbow: its bark can be colored yellow, green, orange and even purple. Take a look at the photo, it seems as if this pattern was painted by some abstract artist, but in fact, this coloring of the rainbow eucalyptus was created by nature itself. The unusual phenomenon is explained by sections of the bark peeling off at different times. The different colors are indicators of the age of the bark: when recently shed, the outer bark will be a bright green color. Over time, the bark darkens and changes from blue to purple and then reaches deep burgundy and orange flowers. It turns out a kind of natural camouflage. Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines are the natural habitats of this tree. Record-breaking trees A giant sequoia named General Sherman grows in national park Sequoia in California. Its height is 83 meters, and its weight exceeds 6 tons. General Sherman is a very beautiful tree with a huge history of 2200 years. The chapel oak of Allouville-Bellefosse in France is considered one of the most beautiful oaks in the world. This is not only a tree, but also a structure and a religious monument. The tree chapel was built in 1669 after a lightning strike. Pando Aspens in Utah grow in a colony that is unique in its kind. Each tree here is genetically identical; in fact, it is an integral living organism with an intertwined root system. Pando is made up of 47,000 aspen trees growing on 107 acres. This is a unique natural formation, whose age exceeds 80,000 years!
One of the oldest living organisms on the planet is the Methuselah pine, which is almost 5 thousand years old.
The record holder for crown diameter is the Indian banyan tree. According to measurements in 1929, one of the banyan trees had a crown of 300 meters. Since then the tree has grown even more.
Banyan tree, Cambodia
The El Arboldel Tule cypress in Mexico is so thick that its trunk spans 58 meters - the thickest tree in the world.
There was a version that these were three trees woven together, but analysis showed that this was still one very beautiful specimen. Man-made masterpieces The next examples will be the creations of farmer Axel Erlandson. He shapes his trees accordingly to give each of them a special shape. Erlandson never told anyone how he achieved such forms, taking his secrets to the grave, and his trees were bought by a local millionaire and transplanted into an amusement park.

Savannas are areas in which herbaceous vegetation predominates. Most of the African savanna is located in Africa, between 15° N. w. and 30° S. w. Savannas are located in countries such as: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Democratic Republic Congo, Angola, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa.

The African savanna has two seasons: dry (winter) and rainy (summer).

• The dry winter season is longer, lasting from October to March in Southern Hemisphere, and from April to September in Severny. There is only about 100 mm of precipitation throughout the entire season.
• The rainy summer season (rainy season) is very different from the dry season and lasts a shorter amount of time. During the rainy season, the savanna receives between 380 and 635 mm of rain per month and the rain can last for hours without stopping.

Savannah is characterized by grasses and small or scattered trees that do not form a closed canopy (as in), allowing sunlight get to the ground. The African savanna contains a diverse community of organisms that interact to form a complex food web.

Healthy, balanced ecosystems are made up of many interacting systems called food webs. (lions, hyenas, leopards) feed on herbivores (impalas, warthogs, cattle), which consume producers (grasses, plant matter). Scavengers (hyenas, vultures) and decomposers (bacteria, fungi) destroy the remains of living organisms and make them available to producers. Humans are also part of the savanna biological community and often compete with other organisms for food.

Threats

This ecoregion has been significantly damaged by humans in many ways. For example, local residents use the land for grazing, as a result of which the grass dies and the savanna turns into a barren, deserted area. People use wood for cooking and create problems for the environment. Some also engage in poaching (hunting animals illegally), which leads to the extinction of many species.

To restore the damage caused and preserve the natural environment, some countries have created nature reserves. Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Nature Reserve are sites World Heritage UNESCO.

The African savanna is one of the largest wild habitats in the world, covering almost half the continent's area, about 13 million km². If it were not for the efforts made by people to preserve the savanna, a large number of representatives of the flora and fauna of this corner of nature would have already become extinct.

Animals of the African savannah

Most savannah animals have long legs or wings that allow them to migrate long distances. Savannah - perfect place for birds of prey such as hawks and buzzards. The wide open plain gives them a clear view of their prey, rising currents of hot air allow them to glide over the ground with ease, and sparse trees provide opportunities for resting or nesting.

There's a big one in the savannah species diversity fauna: African savanna became home to more than 40 different species of herbivores. Up to 16 different herbivorous species (those that eat tree leaves and grass) can coexist in one area. This is possible due to the own food preferences of each individual species: they can graze at different heights, at different times of the day or year, etc.

These various herbivores provide food for predators such as lions, jackals and hyenas. Each carnivorous species has its own preferences, allowing them to live in the same territory and not compete for food. All these animals depend on each other, occupy a certain place in the food chain and ensure balance in the environment. Savannah animals are in constant search of food and water. Some of them are listed below:

African savannah elephant

The largest land mammal in the world. These animals grow up to 3.96 m at the withers and can weigh up to 10 tons, but most often have a size at the withers of up to 3.2 m and a weight of up to 6 tons. They have a long and very flexible trunk that ends in nostrils. The trunk is used to capture food and water and transfer it to the mouth. On the sides of the mouth there are two long teeth called tusks. Elephants have thick, gray skin that protects them from fatal bites predators.

This species of elephant is common in African savannas and grasslands. Elephants are herbivores and eat grasses, fruits, tree leaves, bark, shrubs, etc.

These animals have important work in savannas. They eat bushes and trees, and thereby help the grass grow. This allows many herbivorous animals to survive. Today there are about 150,000 elephants in the world and they are endangered because poachers kill them for their ivory.

wild dog

The African wild dog lives in the grasslands, savannas and open woodlands of eastern and southern Africa. The fur of this animal is short and colored in red, brown, black, yellow and white. Each individual has a unique coloring. Their ears are very large and rounded. Dogs have a short muzzle and have powerful jaws.

This species is perfectly suited for chasing. Like greyhounds, they have a slender body and long legs. The bones of the lower front legs are fused together, which prevents them from twisting when running. African wild dogs have large ears that help conduct heat away from the animal's body. The short and wide muzzle has powerful muscles that allow it to grasp and hold prey. The multi-colored coat provides camouflage to the environment.

The African wild dog is a predator and feeds on medium-sized antelopes, gazelles, and other herbivores. They do not compete with hyenas and jackals for food, as they do not eat carrion. Humans are considered their only enemies.

Black Mamba

The black mamba is a highly venomous snake found in the savannas, rocky and open woodlands of Africa. Snakes of this species grow about 4 m in length and can reach speeds of up to 20 km/h. The black mamba is not actually black, but rather brownish-gray, with a light belly and brownish scales on its back. It gets its name from the purple-black color of the inside of its mouth.

Black mambas feed on small mammals and birds such as voles, rats, squirrels, mice, etc. A snake can bite a large animal and release it. She will then chase her prey until she is paralyzed. The mamba bites smaller animals and holds them, waiting for the toxic venom to take effect.

Black mambas are very nervous when a person approaches them and try to avoid it in any way. If this is not possible, the snake shows aggression by raising the front part of its body and opening its mouth wide. They quickly attack and inject their prey with their poison, and then crawl away. Before antivenoms were developed, a mamba bite was 100% fatal. However, to prevent fatalities, the medicine should be administered immediately. They have no natural enemies and the main threat comes from habitat destruction.

Caracal

- a species of mammals from, widely distributed in the savannas of Africa. The body type is similar to a regular cat, but the caracal is larger and has larger ears. Its coat is short and the color varies from brown to reddish-gray, sometimes even becoming dark. His head is shaped like an inverted triangle. The ears are black on the outside and light on the inside, with tufts of black hair at the tips.

They are active at night, mainly hunting small mammals such as rabbits and porcupines, but sometimes large animals such as sheep, young antelope or deer become their victims. They have special skills for catching birds. Their strong legs allow them to jump high enough to actually knock down flying birds with their large paws. The main threat to caracals is people.

bear baboon

Bear baboons live mainly in the African savanna and high mountain grasslands. They never stray far from trees or water sources. This species is the largest in the genus of baboons; males can weigh 30-40 kg. They are very hairy animals with olive-gray fur.

Bear baboons do not live in trees; they spend most of their time on the ground. They can climb trees when threatened, for food or to rest. These mainly eat fruit from trees, roots and bugs. Baboons unintentionally feed other animals by throwing or leaving food behind for others to pick up.

Egyptian mongoose

The Egyptian mongoose is the largest of all mongooses in Africa. The animals are common in scrubland, rocky regions and small areas of savannah. Adults grow up to 60 cm in length (plus a 33-54 cm tail) and weigh 1.7-4 kg. Egyptian mongooses have long wool, as a rule, gray with brown dots.

They are primarily carnivores, but will also eat fruit if it is available in their habitat. Their typical diet consists of rodents, fish, birds, reptiles, insects and larvae. Egyptian mongooses also feed on the eggs of various animals. These fauna representatives can eat poisonous snakes. They hunt birds of prey and large carnivores of the savannah. Egyptian mongooses benefit the environment by killing animals (such as rats and snakes) that are considered pests to humans.

Grant's Zebra

Grant's zebra is a subspecies of Burchell's zebra and is widespread in the Serengeti Mara. Its height is about 140 cm and its weight is about 300 kg. This subspecies has rather short legs and a large head. Grant's zebra has black and white stripes all over its body, but its nose and hooves are completely black. Each individual has its own unique color.

The main predators of zebras are hyenas and lions. There are about 300,000 zebras left on the savannah and they are endangered.

a lion

They live in the African savannas south of the Sahara. They eat gazelles, buffalos, zebras and many other small and medium-sized mammals. Lions are the only cats that live in family packs called prides. Each pride includes from 4 to 40 individuals.

The coat color of these animals is ideal for camouflage with the environment. They have sharp, hooked claws that they can retract or extend at will. Leos have sharp teeth, which are ideal for biting and chewing meat.

They play an important role for the survival of other animals. When this predator kills its prey and eats it, parts or pieces of the carcass are usually left behind for vultures and hyenas to consume.

Lions are quite interesting and graceful creatures that are interesting to watch, however they are endangered due to overhunting and habitat loss.

Nile crocodile

The Nile crocodile can grow up to five meters in length and is common in freshwater swamps, rivers, lakes and other watery places. These animals have long snouts that can capture fish and turtles. Body color is dark olive. They are considered the most intelligent reptiles on earth.

Crocodiles eat almost anything in the water, including fish, turtles or birds. They even eat buffalo, antelope, big cats, and sometimes people when given the chance.

Nile crocodiles skillfully camouflage themselves, leaving only their eyes and nostrils above the water. They also blend well with the color of the water, so for many animals that come to a pond to quench their thirst, these reptiles pose a mortal danger. This species is not endangered. They are not threatened by other animals except humans.

African savannah plants

This habitat is home to a huge number of wild plants. Many representatives of the flora have adapted to grow during long periods of drought. Such plants have long roots that are able to reach water deep underground; thick bark that can withstand constant fires; trunks that accumulate moisture for use in winter.

Grasses have adaptations that prevent certain animals from eating them; some are too pungent or bitter for certain species, although more than acceptable for others. The advantage of this adaptation is that each animal species has something to eat. Different species may also consume specific plant parts.

There are many different plant species in the African savanna and below is a list of some of them:

Acacia Senegalese

Senegalese acacia is a small thorny tree from the legume family. It grows up to 6 m in height and has a trunk diameter of about 30 cm. The dried sap of this tree is gum arabic - a hard transparent resin. This resin is widely used in industry, cooking, watercolor painting, cosmetology, medicine, etc.

Many wild animals feed on the leaves and pods of the Senegalese acacia tree. Like other legumes, these trees store nitrogen and then add it to poor soils.

Baobab

Baobab is found in the savannas of Africa and India, mainly near the equator. It can grow up to 25 meters in height and live for several thousand years. During the rainy months, water is stored in the thick trunk, using roots up to 10 m long, and then used by the plant during the dry winter season.

Almost all parts of the tree are widely used by local residents. The baobab bark is used to make cloth and rope, the leaves are used as seasonings and medicines, and the fruit, called “monkey bread,” is eaten plain. Sometimes people live in the huge trunks of these trees, and representatives of the galagidae family (nocturnal primates) live in the crowns of the baobab tree.

Bermuda grass

This plant is also called pigweed palmate. Bermuda grass is widespread in warm climates from 45° N latitude. up to 45° S It gets its name from its introduction from Bermuda. Grass grows in open areas (pastures, open forests and gardens) where frequent disturbances to the ecosystem such as animal grazing, floods and fires occur.

Bermuda grass is a creeping plant that forms a dense mat when it touches the soil. It has a deep root system, and in drought conditions the roots can be located underground at a depth of 120-150 cm. The main part of the root is located at a depth of 60 cm.

Fingerweed is considered a highly invasive and competitive weed. Few herbicides are effective against it. Before the advent of mechanized farming, Bermuda grass was the worst weed for farmers. However, it saved a huge amount of agricultural land from erosion. This plant is very nutritious for cattle and sheep.

elephant grass

Elephant grass grows in the African savanna and reaches a height of 3 m. It is found along lakes and rivers where the soil is rich. Local farmers feed this grass to their animals.

The plant is highly invasive and clogs natural water flows, which must be cleared periodically. Elephant grass grows well in tropical climates and can be killed by a slight frost. The underground parts will remain alive unless the soil freezes.

This herb is used by local people in cooking, agriculture, construction and as an ornamental plant.

Persimmon medlar

Loquat persimmon is widely distributed throughout the African savannah. It prefers wooded areas where there are termite mounds nearby, and is also found along river beds and marshy areas. IN heavy soils termite mounds provide the tree with aerated and moist soil. Termites do not eat living trees of this species.

This plant can reach 24 m in height, however most trees do not grow that tall, reaching a height of 4 to 6 m. The fruits of the tree are popular among many animals and local residents. They can be eaten fresh or canned. The fruits are also dried and ground into flour, and beer is also brewed from them. The leaves, bark and roots of the tree are widely used in traditional medicine.

Mongongo

The mongongo tree prefers hot and dry climates with little rainfall and is common in wooded hills and sand dunes. This plant reaches a length of 15-20 meters. It has many adaptations that allow it to live in arid environments, including a moisture-storing trunk, long roots, and thick bark.

This species is widespread throughout the southern savanna. The nuts of this tree are part of the daily diet of many Africans and are even used to extract oil.

Combretum red-leaved

Combretum red-leaved prefers warm and dry climates and grows near rivers. The tree grows from 7 to 12 m in height and has a dense, expanding crown. The fruit is poisonous and causes severe bouts of hiccups. The tree has straight long roots because it requires large quantities water for growth.

They feed on its leaves in the spring. Parts of this tree are used in medicine and the wood processing industry. Its good adaptability, fast growth, dense expanding crown, interesting fruit and attractive leaves make it a popular ornamental tree.

Acacia twisted

Acacia is a tree from the legume family. Its homeland is the African savanna Sahel, but the plant can also be found in the Middle East. It is known that the plant can grow in highly alkaline soil, and can withstand dry and hot environmental conditions. In addition, trees that reach two years of age have little frost resistance.

The wood of these trees is used in construction and furniture is made from it. Many wild animals feed on acacia leaves and pods. Parts of the tree are used by local people to make jewelry, weapons and tools, as well as in traditional medicine.

Acacia is important in restoring degraded drylands because the tree's roots fix nitrogen (an essential plant nutrient) in the soil through interaction with symbiotic nodule bacteria.

Acacia sickle-lobed

Acacia crescenta is commonly found in the savannas of equatorial East Africa, particularly the Serengeti Plain.

This acacia can grow about 5 m in height and has sharp thorns up to 8 cm long. The hollow thorns can be home to 4 species of ants, and they often make tiny holes in them. When the wind blows, the thorns thrown by the ants make a whistling sound.

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The African continent ranks second in the world in terms of area and population. Due to the variable climate, Africa has a variety of plant and animal species: large predators wander through vast savannas among peacefully grazing herds of herbivores. Monkeys and snakes reign in the dark, dense forests. Africa is home to some of the most interesting animals in the world.

Vegetable world

Equatorial Africa retains the world's largest areas of endangered tropical forest.

Some plants are endangered, including the baobab. These trees are probably the oldest inhabitants of the continent, with some estimated to be over 3,000 years old. Baobab tree trunks are used to store water, and the bark and leaves are used for medicinal purposes.

Black or ebony is also endangered. It has heavy wood, which is highly valued among indigenous peoples and in the international market.

Acacia is the symbol tree of Africa. These trees are adapted to hot and dry climates and grow across most of the black continent. Often acacia leaves are the only greenery that animals can get. To protect itself from starving people, the tree grew thorns, and now only giraffes can feast on acacia leaves.

Many types of aloe grow in Africa, including aloe vera. These are succulent plants with sweet nectar that attracts many birds. Aloe juice is widely used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

Animal world

Africa boasts more than 1,100 species of mammals, including herd animals such as wildebeest, buffalo and antelope, as well as zebras, giraffes and elephants. Rodents are represented by squirrels and rats of various species, there are also rabbits and hares. There are more than 60 species of carnivores on the continent: lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards and others. Africa is also home to four species of great apes, including western and eastern gorillas, chimpanzees, pygmy chimpanzees, and many other primate species.

Thanks to Africa's diverse climate, there are many species of reptiles and amphibians. There are chameleons, cobras, vipers, pythons, geckos, rare species frogs. Large turtles and crocodiles also inhabit the dark continent.

Many representatives of the savanna fauna are listed in the Red Book. Among them are cheetahs and African lions. They are threatened by habitat loss and climate change.

The black rhinoceros is a huge animal weighing one and a half tons and has three horns. Unfortunately, the horns have medicinal properties, which led to a decrease in the number of rhinoceroses. African elephants and rare zebras may also become extinct due to habitat loss. Poachers do not stop their hunt for valuable tusks, horns and skins.

Africa is an amazing continent; perhaps this is where the first life originated. There are still many unexplored areas and areas that are difficult for scientists to reach. This means that Africa will surprise us with new discoveries more than once.

Video: Nature of Africa. Nature conservation, environmental problems.