Natural vegetation

Factors influencing vegetation

Climate (rainfall, temperature), soils, altitude (relief), aspect, and human activities.

Major vegetation types

• Tropical rainforest: tall evergreen trees, three layers (canopy), lianas, buttress roots. Congo Basin; Kakamega Forest in Kenya.
• Tropical savanna: tall grass with scattered drought-resistant trees (acacia, baobab). Most of East Africa, Maasai Mara.
• Hot desert: thorny scrub, cacti, succulents with thick waxy leaves. Sahara, Chalbi Desert.
• Mediterranean: evergreen shrubs and trees adapted to dry summers (olive, cork oak).
• Temperate grasslands: short grass, few trees (Prairies, Steppes, Pampas, Veld).
• Coniferous forest: needle-shaped leaves, cone-shaped trees (Taiga).