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Unit 10: VEGETATION IN RWANDA
Key unit competence
At the end of this unit, you should be able to explain the importance of different types of vegetation in Rwanda.Introduction
The environment that is around us is covered with different types of plants. Some of the plants occur naturally. This is the vegetation that grows as a result of the natural conditions that exist in an area. Other areas have types of vegetation that has emerged as a result of human activities. In whichever, way the vegetation of a place has occurred, it consists of a combination of trees, shrubs, grass and weeds.
10.1 Types of natural vegetation in Rwanda
Natural vegetation is the plant life that grows in a place as a result of natural factors. These factors include the amount of rainfall received, the nature of soils and temperatures among other natural factors.
Activity 10.1
1. From outside your classroom, observe and make a list of all the types of vegetation both within and outside the school compound.
2. Draw a table with two columns in your note book and indicate the natural vegetation in one column and planted vegetation in the other.
3. Discuss the similarities and differences in the two types of vegetation and make a class presentation on your findings.
Any part of the earth where human activities are limited is covered with different types of plants that have grown naturally. Rwanda has areas that have natural vegetation especially in the places that have been set aside as reserves and the areas that are not accessible.
The map of Rwanda below shows regions with different types of natural vegetation.
Much of Rwanda’s natural vegetation has been cut down.
People clear vegetation as they create room for farming and settlement. They also cut trees to obtain building materials and firewood. Natural vegetation is mainly found in the three large national parks and four forest reserves.
Activity 10.2
In groups of five:Carry out a research from various geographical documents, the Internet and from Rwanda Environment Management Authority.
Find out the reasons that may have led to clearing of natural vegetation in Gishwati Forest. Make notes from your findings in your notebooks for class presentation.
Remember!
After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, many survivors had to settle down again. This meant that they were to build houses and find land for farming. As a result, much of the vegetation was cleared to facilitate this. It is easier to destroy the natural vegetation than restore it. This is why it took a long time to restore vegetation cover. It has been the responsibility of all of us to take care of the environment. This is one way of being responsible citizens!
Natural vegetation in Rwanda can be divided into four main categories. These are:
(i) Mountain forests
(ii) Savanna woodlands
(iii) Savanna grasslands
(iv) Riverine vegetation and marshlands
Mountain forests
The mountain forests are found in the mountainous western part of the country. The largest areas of these forests are the Nyungwe Forest National Park and the Volcanoes National Park. These two forests are reserves that are also conservation areas for wild animals. The mountain forests are true rain forests which have more than 200 species of trees and a variety of flowering plants. They also have large areas of bamboo forests while tall coarse species of grass dominate the open areas within the forest.
Savanna woodlands
The largest areas in Rwanda that are covered with woodland type of vegetation are the plains in the southern parts of Rwanda and Bugesera District.
The vegetation in the woodlands is characterised by hardwood type of trees that are medium height and short scrubs that have many shoots from one stem.
Activity 10.3
1. Ask your parent or guardian to help you identify types of natural vegetation in your local environment. Write down both their Ikinyarwanda and their English names.
2. In the following table, identify the soft wood and hard wood trees in Rwanda today. Ensure you get photographs to show these two types of trees. In this case, you can visit a nearby forest in groups to take photographs. You can also use the Internet and other sources of geographical information to obtain these photographs.
Present your information in a table as shown.
Many of the plants in the woodlands are thorny with small leaves. Occasionally there are tall umbrella shaped acacia trees rising above the level of the scrub vegetation. Their numbers increase along the river valleys.Much of the woodland vegetation has been cut down to give way to farming and settlement. There is also deforestation resulting from charcoal burning. This has left only patches of the natural woodlands and some scattered trees which shed their leaves during the dry seasons to appear like dry wood.
Savanna grasslands
Savanna grasslands are found on the lower slopes including the hills in the central part of the country. These zones have natural vegetation that consists of thick, tall highland grass with scattered trees. The drier plains in the eastern parts of the country support open savanna grasslands with scattered woody trees such as acacia. Much of the grasslands are grazing areas for livestock while part of the areas is the Akagera National Park.
Riverine vegetation and marshlands
This type of vegetation is found in wetland areas such as Rugezi swamp (Burera District) and along rivers, including Akagera, Nyabarongo, Rusizi and other smaller river valleys. The vegetation consists of lowland forests and papyrus swamps. Parts of the wetlands are threatened by invasive plants such as water hyacinth. These plantsgrow rapidly, covering the top surface of the water and replacing the original vegetation.
10.2 Factors that influence vegetation distribution in Rwanda
The growth of plants in any place is determined by a combination of a number of factors. In Rwanda, vegetation varies from place to place due the different factors that are dominant in different areas. There are four main categories of factors that influence vegetation in Rwanda. These are:
(i) Climatic factors
(ii) Topographical factors
(iii) Edaphic or soil related factors
(iv) Biological factors
Activity 10.4
In groups, carry out a study of the area around your school.
1.Identify and describe the type of natural vegetation in the area.
2.Identify and explain the planted vegetation in the area.
3.Explain how the following climatic factors would influence vegetation distribution.
a) Rainfall
b) Temperature
Present your findings for class discussion.
(i) Climatic factors
The main climatic factors that influence vegetation in Rwanda are rainfall and temperature.
(ii) Topographical factors
This refers to the nature of the landscape. It is described in terms of the slope. It can be termed as steep, gently sloping or flat. The very steep slopes on the mountains in Rwanda have scarce vegetation. This is because they lack sufficient soil to support plant growth. However, the gentle slopes are covered with forests. Flat areas and river valleys have thick swamp vegetation that is supported by the water from the rivers.
(iii) Edaphic or soil related factors
The depth and fertility of soils have a direct effect on the type of vegetation in a place.
The slopes of the mountains and hills in Rwanda have deep fertile soils that supports thick forests. The soils in the swampy areas support plants that survive in waterlogged soils. These include papyrus plants and water weeds.
(iv) Biological factors
These factors include the effect of animal and human activities on the vegetation.
Activity 10.5
In groups, discuss how human beings and animals influence vegetation.
Write down your findings to present to the class.
10.3 Importance of different vegetation types
Vegetation is not only important to people but also to both domestic and wild animals. Vegetation is also important to the environment. The importance of vegetation can be looked at in terms of economic and social benefits we get from it.
Activity 10.6
In groups, use the atlas, various geographical documents and the Internet to:
1.Identify places in Rwanda where swamp vegetation is found.
2.Explain the different uses of swamp vegetation.
Make a class presentation on your answers.
(i) Importance of forests
Activity 10.7
1. Identify one of the items you use frequently that is made from vegetation.
2. Forests are sources of rivers. They are also home to wild animals. In groups, generate a list of other reasons why forests in Rwanda are important.
(ii) Importance of woodlands
a) Woodlands in Rwanda are the main sources of the charcoal that is used in homes.
b) Woodlands provide firewood and timber for building.
c) There is bee keeping and collecting of medicinal herbs in the woodlands.
d) Some wild animals live in woodlands. They are attraction to tourists. This is important because tourism generates income for the government as well as creating employment opportunities.
e) The open areas where the bushes are not so thick have grass where animals graze.
(iii) Importance of grasslands
a) Grasslands are important because they provide pasture for livestock. Many of the pastoralist in Rwanda who keep large herds of livestock are found in the grassland areas in the eastern parts of the country.
b) Some of the grasslands have been set aside for wildlife conservation and are home to a variety of grazing animals. Most of the Akagera National Park is within the grassland region.
(iv) Importance of swamp vegetation
Activity 10.8
1.Identify the main type of swamp vegetation.
2.Explain how swamp vegetation is used.
10.4 Impact of man’s activities on vegetation in Rwanda
Rwanda is a small country with a total area of 26,338 square kilometres and with a population of about 11.5 million (National Institute of Statistics - Rwanda - 2016). The density ranges from 250 to 380 people per square kilometres. For this reason:
a) There is a very high demand for land. As a result, people are forced to settle and farm in any available land including the steep hill slopes.
b) The original vegetation in most parts of the country has been cleared to give room for farming and settlement.
c) Former forests areas are currently farms and homesteads.
Activity 10.9
Study the photograph below and answer the questions that follow.
1. Describe the type of vegetation shown in the background of the photograph?
2. Explain reasons that may have led to the clearing of vegetation in the area.
3. Describe the activity that has taken place in the photograph.
4. What effects will this activity have in the area in future?
5. Give examples of places in Rwanda where this photograph may have been taken.
6. Which measures can the government of Rwanda put in place in order to conserve natural vegetation?
Compile a report for discussion in class.
10.5 Measures to conserve natural vegetation in Rwanda
Activity 10.10
In groups, carry out a field study of the area around your school:
1. To assess the impacts of human activities on vegetation
2. To find out the vegetation conservation measures that people have put in place.
Prepare a report for class presentation.
Vegetation conservation and management plans have been put in place in many parts of Rwanda. The government has plans to achieve 30% forest cover by 2020. Together with non-governmental organisations, the government involves the local communities in conservation activities. This is widespread but more common in villages that are close to the protected areas.
(State of Environment and Outlook Report, REMA 2015)
Specific measures include:
i) All over the country, there are conservation activities within the major forest areas. Focus is on increasing the forest cover by planting trees of the same species as in the original forests. For example, a large area of Gishwati Forest has had wild tree species planted to increase the acreage of the forest. The forests are then protected by fencing on the boundary of the forest reserves using leguminous thorny plants.
ii) There is a deliberate effort by the Government of Rwanda to increase the number of protected areas. It also aims to promote tree plantations and expand the present forest cover.
iii) There are laws that allow those found cutting trees illegally to be arrested and jailed.
iv) The government has also rolled out a countrywide agro-forestry programme encouraging farmers to plant trees within their farms. To support this initiative, they are supplying them with tree seedlings.
END OF UNIT REVISION EXERCISE
1. Name two vegetation types in Rwanda and for each give an example of a region where it is found.
2. Explain how rainfall influences distribution of vegetation in Rwanda.
3. What is the importance of Nyungwe Forest to the population around it?
4. Explain why it is important to conserve vegetation.
5. What role do the local communities in Rwanda play in conservation of vegetation?