Mapping the distribution of natural vegetation in Tanzania

Mapping the distribution of natural vegetation in Tanzania

Natural vegetation is the collection of grasses, shrubs, thorn plants, big and small trees, which are not planted by man.

In Tanzania, the natural vegetation is unevenly distributed. This distribution depends on the nature of the Earth's surface, climate, and the types of soil found in the area.

Tanzania's land consists of the following physical features:

1. mountains
2. valleys
3. plateaus
4. plains

There are also lakes such as

1. Victoria
2. Tanganyika
3. Nyasa

In addition, Tanzania has dams, rivers and water springs. To the east, Tanzania is bordered by the Indian Ocean. Normally, the Earth's surface is related to the distribution of vegetation cover in a particular area.

Therefore, the landscape of Tanzania is covered with both natural vegetation and planted vegetation.

Tanzania is largely covered by natural vegetation, which is essential for living organisms, including human beings. Extending from the coastal area along the Indian Ocean, the natural vegetation comprises of mangroves, tall grasses, forests, and shrubs. From Dar es Salaam towards Morogoro, the vegetation cover varies. There are unevenly distributed trees (miombo) mixed with tall grasses and scattered shrubs. This vegetation cover is known as dry miombo or savannah woodland vegetation. Other areas such as Dodoma, Singida, Manyara, and the southern parts of Arusha and Kilimanjaro are covered by savannah grasslands.

The western regions of Tabora and Kigoma, as well as the southern regions, have savannah vegetation with tall grasses and miombo trees. All these features can be shown on a map.

The distribution of natural vegetation in Tanzania

In order to read a vegetation distribution map correctly, you need to understand types of vegetation and their distribution.

The distribution of vegetation is determined by the

1. climate,
2. soils and
3. human activities in an area.

In many places, natural vegetation is categorised into three: grasses, shrubs, and forests. The arrangement of these categories may exist for a long time depending on the climatic conditions of the area concerned. Except in semi-desert and desert areas which consist of thorn-trees and scattered bushes, we cannot find such kind of arrangement.