Environmental Issues of Africa

Tropical Rainforest

• Thick vegetation with high annual rainfall

• Home to unique wildlife and plants

• Endangered by deforestation (clear cutting trees)

Deforestation• Trees are important because– Produce oxygen -Paper– Maintain ground soil -Heat– Cool the ground -Building materials– Prevent erosion– Produce food• Fruit• animals

Sahel

• Large strip of land that borders the Sahara Desert

• Rich in mineral resources• Valuable farm land

Sahel

Savannas

• Grasslands in Africa• Home to the large game animals of Africa• Most Farm lands in Africa• Poaching-illegal hunting of game animals

Savanna

Desertification-Spreading of the desert

Causes• As trees are cut down

they don’t grow back• Over farming of the

land• Poor soil leads to

desertification• The desert takes over

Consequences• Less food is produced

for the people• Resulting in famine (no

food to eat)• Famine =

starvation=death

Desertification

• Deserts are taking over valuable farmland in the Sahel and the Savannas

Clean Water

• Needed for health and sanitation• Dirty water = diseases• Lack of clean wash water = skin and eye

infections• Water-borne diseases spread by parasite• Mosquitoes and other insects carry diseases(Malaria)

The Problem

• Need water– Drinking -Cooking– Farming -Washing– Animals -Bathing

People have to live near water to survive but it can kill them

Summary

• Describe in a paragraph the environmental problems in Africa. Include deforestation, desertification and clean water.