UNIT 7:VEGETATION IN RWANDA
Key Unit competence: The student-teacher should be able to explain the importance of vegetation in Rwanda and evaluate conservation measures.
Introductory Activity
Read this short passage and answer the questions that follow
The natural vegetation of Rwanda is very narrowed and the plant landscape is very humanized. The high population of Rwanda has indeed led plant growing on the most of the country’s space.
1. What do you understand by the term vegetation?
2. Identify types of vegetation found in Rwanda.
3. With examples show the importance of vegetation?
4. What are the measures to protect the vegetation?
7.1. Types of vegetation and importance vegetation in Rwanda
Learning activity 7. 1
1. Describe major types of vegetation.
2. Explain how vegetation contributes to the development of the country.
7.1.1. Types of vegetation in Rwanda
The term vegetation refers to plant cover, plant community or ground full of different plants. There are two major types of vegetation which include both man-made vegetation and natural vegetation.
i) Natural vegetation
This type of vegetation grows naturally without human intervention or without agricultural practices. It involves all virgin vegetation and those regenerated by natural means and is controlled by the climatic conditions of the region in which it is found. Example, Nyungwe forest, Gishwati forest, Mukura forest.
ii) Man-made vegetation it is also referred to as Artificial vegetation/ cultural vegetation. The growth and development of this type of vegetation is under influence of man. They range from smallest garden at home to large forest such as Arboretum forest in Huye, Mount Kigali forest in Kigali and other crops.
7.1.2. Importance of vegetation
Vegetation plays a vital role in our natural ecosystem and also supports the biosphere in various ways:
• Forests help to make healthy environment by providing oxygen needed by many living organisms including man.
• Forests help to prevent soil erosion especially on steep slopes like highlands and mountainous areas of Musanze and Gicumbi districts. Roots bind the soil and hold it up.
• Forests facilitate climate modification through evaporation-transpiration that leads to the formation of rain.
• It contributes to the development of handicrafts.
• Forests act as wind breaks, protecting buildings and crops from being destroyed by strong winds.
• Forests help in conserving soil fertility i.e. decomposed materials (e.g. leaves and branches) and add fertility to soils
• Forests act as habitats for wild animals e.g. monkeys, elephants, zebras, etc.
• Forests act as source of fuel e.g. firewood, charcoal, etc.
• Forests act as source of timber which is used for building and furniture making, etc.
• Forests act as a basis for industrial development e.g. paper manufacturing industry, wood processing industry, saw mills, pulp mills, etc.
• Forests are tourist attraction sites as long as they are a home of wild, animals and birds that attract many tourists.
• They act as the source of medicine especially herbs.
• Forests act as a source of employment to many people e.g. those working in the departments of forests in the ministry.
• Forests act as the source of government revenue through people taxing engaged in exploitation of forestry resources.
• Forests are good grounds for educational scientific researches.
Application activity 7.1
1. Explain how people depend on vegetation.
2. Describe how vegetation is related to the climate.
7.2. Causes of the destruction and conservation measures of vegetation
Learning activity 7.2
1. How can you describe deforestation?
2. Identify any three causes of vegetation destruction in Rwanda.
3. What is the solution to the above problem?
7.2.1.Causes of vegetation destruction
Apart from the above mentioned role of vegetation, forests around the world are under threat, fear and risk of no longer enjoying its benefits. The threats manifest themselves in the form of deforestation and forest degradation.
There are a number of factors that account for the destruction of vegetation in Rwanda. They include the following:
The harsh climatic conditions: Example is noticeable in eastern province where unreliable rainfall and prolonged drought has left little or no vegetation cover on the ground.
High population: The ever increase of population has created pressure on the existing vegetation.
Lumbering: Lumbering goes with felling of trees for timber sales.
Urbanization: The development of urban centres has affected much vegetation
Improper farming methods: In most rural areas of Rwanda, population still use traditional methods which have left the soil bare exposing it to the soil erosion.
Natural causes: Rwanda is a mountainous country. There is landslide and mass wasting especially in north and western parts of the country.
Biotic factors: Presence of many diseases and insects that destroy the vegetation.
Overgrazing and search for animal feeds: In some parts of Rwanda where farmers keep large number of cattle, vegetation is scarce due to overgrazing.
Infrastructural development: The presence of new roads as a sign of transport development sometimes leads to the destruction of vegetation during their construction. Poorly planned infrastructure is emerging as a big threat too.
Fuel needs: Many people in Rwanda live in rural areas. And most of them depend on wood and charcoal as a source of fuel at home.
Fire outbreaks: This is a common tendency in some areas of the country where in the dry season, grasslands are intentionally or accidently burnt.
7.2.2. The conservation measures of vegetation
Forest conservation is the protection of forests from damaging effects of human activities. Or is the practice of planning and maintaining forested areas for the benefit and sustainability of future generations.
• Control human and animal population in order to stop encroachment of forests and overgrazing.
• Educating the masses on the advantages of forest conservation (need to conserve forest).
• Employing forest rangers and wardens to protect the forests from poachers and fire outbreaks
• Enforcing rules and regulation governing forests in order to punish those who misuse the forests.
• Training people on forest management.
• Introducing alternative sources of fuel such as biogas and solar energy other than using firewood and charcoal.
• Establishing forest reserves and setting some forests as game parks.
• Control of pests and insects by use of insecticides as well as cutting and burning of affected trees.
• Control bush fire through seminars by use of persuasive posters and employing fire brigades
• Reforestation (planting of trees where others have been cut) and Afforestation (planting of trees where others have not been in existence).
• Improved cutting practices.
Application activity 7.2
1. Explain how people depend on vegetation.
2. Describe how vegetation is related to the climate.
Skills lab
Vegetation plays a great importance in daily life. Think about a garden you can do at home or school that is both friendly to the nature and productive to the people.
End unit assessment
1. Find out why deforestation is a problem.
2. Give reasons why it is important to conserve the vegetation.
3. Draw a sketch map of Rwanda and on it, locate the major natural vegetation.
4. Suggest possible ways to protect vegetation.