Chapter 4 - Major Features of the Earth's Surface PDF

was surrounded by a single superocean called Panthalassa. Over millions of years, the Major features of geomorphic processes caused the Pangaea to break up into two big landmasses. The...

was surrounded by a single superocean called Panthalassa. Over millions of years, the Major features of geomorphic processes caused the Pangaea to break up into two big landmasses. The northern landmass was called Laurasia, and the southern landmass was called Gondwana. the Earth’s surface The two landmasses were separated by Tethys Sea. The two supercontinents broke into present continents whereby Laurasia included present-day North America, Europe, and Introduction Asia while Gondwana comprised of present-day Africa, South America, Antarctica and Australia. People live on the earth’s surface, which hosts a variety of features and si as the primary habitat for all forms of life. The existence of land, water, and v zal plays A continent is a major landmass rising from the ocean floor. Continents are usually surrounded by a large mass of water bodies such as oceans and seas. Islands adjacent a central role in sustaining human and other living organisms on o ew, t. In this to continents are part of them because they contain rock structure similar to that of the chapter, you will learn about major features of the earth’s surf hh as continents continent. In general, there are seven continents on the Earth, namely: Asia, Africa, and their features. You will also learn the major water bodies s oceans and seas, South America, North America, Australia, Europe and Antarctica (Figure 4.1). Among major features of the ocean floor, as well as large inlan + bodies such as rivers the seven continents, five continents are separated by oceans.and seas, except Europe and lakes. Moreover, you will learn about vegetation the earth’s surface and and Asia, which are separated by the Ural Mountains. © their importance to human life. The competencies < d will enable you to use and manage resources sustainably in different plage) earth’s surface. The landmasses comprise of continents and vegetation. The water bodies (a) Obserye tl € appearance of your consist of oceans and seas, and large inland schi 901 compound and the nearby water bodies such as rivers and lakes. eas. ( mis the features that you have ~~ ° 1 2,550 ‘ 6,100 1 ‘ 10,200K: Continents and oceans of the world ~ observed and note them down. Figure 4.1: Distribution of continents and oceans. Earth’s surface refers to the outermost layer wa of the Earth, including both the landmasses Explore information from library and (continents and islands) and the water bodies other reliable online sources about the (oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers). It is the part continents of the world, focusing on their (a) Prepare a well labelled sketch map of a world showing the seven continents. of the Earth that we interact with directly cultural diversity, climate, geographical (b) Give at least one fact about the continent identified, including the name of a and where all terrestrial life exists. It is features, and significant historical events. made up of continental landmasses, which country or a major city located on the continent. cover about 29% of the earth’s surface, and In the beginning the earth’s surface was a water bodies, which cover about 71% of the single giant landmass called Pangaea that ETT OOF The continents of the world are arranged by Unguja, Pemba, Mafia, and Mauritius in Europe 4. The continent that is located entirely size starting with the largest to the smallest. the Indian Ocean, and the Canaries in the Europe is the sixth largest continent in in the Southern Hemisphere and They can also be arranged from the smallest Atlantic Ocean are part of the African size, and it is about two-fifth the size of covered mostly by a massive ice sheet to the largest continent depending on the continent. Africa. It has an area of 10.1 million square is purpose. Therefore, the following is the kilometres. The continent of Europe lies 3: is the continent where description of continents based on the size between 40° N and the Arctic Circle and you can find the Sahara, which is the North America from the largest to the smallest. between 10° W and 60° E. It lies to the world’s largest hot desert. — North America is the third largest continent West of the continent of Asia. The Ural 6. The continent with countries such as in size with an area of about 24,7 million Asia Mountains separate Europe from Asia. Canada, United States of America square kilometres. It extends from 10°N To the North, it is bordered by the Arctic Asia is the largest continent. It covers to 80°N and from 60°W to 160°W. The (USA), and Mexico is Ocean, to the West by the Atlantic Ocean, more than one third of the land surface of continent is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and to the South by the Mediterranean Sea. the Earth. It is about 1.5 times the size of to the West, the Atlantic Ocean to the East, SECTION Be Answer the following Africa. Its total area is 44.6 million square and by the Arctic Ocean to the North. To questions. Australia kilometres. The continent of Asia stretches the South,.itis bordered by the continent from 10° S to 78° N and from 30° E to Australia is the smallest continent, and it 1. Give-a’short description of how of South America. about 180° E. The continent is bordered is about a quarter of the size of Africa. continents were formed. to the North by the Arctic Ocean, to the It is about 8.5 million square kilometres. 2. \ Describe the geographical features of East by the Pacific Ocean and on the South South America Australia lies approximately between 10° ~~ Africa. by the Indian Ocean. To the West the Ural South America is the fourth largest continent S and 40° S and 115° E and 150° E. The 3. Which continent do you currently Mountains form the boundary between.the in size, about half the size of Africa. Its area islands of New Zealand, in the Southeast reside in? Describe its geographical continents of Asia and Europe, while to the is about 17.8 million square kilometres. It of Australia, are part of the continent. The location. South West, the continent is bordered by lies between 10° N and 50° S and between continent is bordered by the Indian Ocean 4. Provide five benefits of geographical Africa and separated by the Red Sea. 35° W and 80° W. The Atlantic Ocean to the West and the Pacific Ocean in the position of Tanzania within its borders this continent to the East and the North. In the East and South, it is bordered continent. Pacific Ocean to the West. It is separated by the Southern Ocean. Africa from the continent of North America by Africa is the second largest continent in size with an area of about 30.3 million square the Panama Isthmus. J EXCICis© 4.1 Interaction between continental kilometres. Africa extends from 35°S to SECTION A: Fill in the blanks with the landmasses and water bodies 37°N and-from 15°W to 50°E. About three Antarctica correct-names of the continents of the Some continental landmasses interact with quarters of the area lies in the tropics. Africa Antarctica is the fifth largest continent in world» % } water bodies. This interaction results in the isthe only continent crossed by the three size, and it is about one-third the size of 1. The largest continent, both in terms formation of different features like gulfs, tropics. The continent is crossed by the Africa. Its area is about 14 million square of land area and population, is. capes, peninsulas, Isthmus and straits. A Equator, the Tropic of Cancer, and the kilometres. It is located around the South gulf is a part of the ocean that penetrates a Tropic of Capricorn. Pole and almost all of it lies within latitude 2. is recognised as the landmass. Examples of gulfs are the Persian Africa is bordered by the Mediterranean 66° S. It is surrounded by the Southern smallest continent, and it is commonly Gulf (Western Asia), the Gulf of Mexico, Sea to the North, the Atlantic Ocean to Ocean. It is not inhabited by human beings referred to as the “island continent.” the Gulf of Bengal and the Gulf of Guinea. the West, the Indian Ocean to the East and because of the extreme low temperature A strait is a narrow water path that separates a, is the only continent that the Southern Ocean to the South. Islands below freezing point throughout the year. landmasses. Examples of straits are the lies in both the Northern and Southern such as Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoro, Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco), Luzon Strait Hemispheres. Fa (Taiwan), and Makassar Strait (Indonesia). Major relief features of the continents A cape is a pointed or narrow extension of land entering into a body of water such as Each continent has its unique geographical features. The surface of any continent is ocean, sea, lake or river. Examples of capes are the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, not regular in shape and elevation. The height above the sea level (altitude) and slope Cape Horn in Chile, and Cape Leeuwin in Australia. Peninsula is a landmass that is (degree of steepness of the land) give rise to different relief features. In this regard, the almost surrounded by water but still connected to the mainland. It is large than a cape. main relief features of the continents include Plains, plateaus, mountains, and basins. Examples of peninsulas are Msasani in Tanzania, Arabian, Alaskan and Indo-China. Other relief features include hills and valleys. Figure 4.3 shows the major relief features Isthmus is a narrow land stretch that joins two major land masses. Examples of isthmus of the continents. include the Isthmus of Panama between Nicaragua and Colombia and the Suez between Africa and Asia (Figure 4.2). _ 8) $ 8 rs Key Kilimanjaro Mountain Plateaus Plains are continuous stretches of A plateau is an extensive high altitude comparatively flat lands that do not area with more or less uniform summit -Y much in elevation. For example, level. Plateaus significantly rise above the the Serengeti plains of Tanzania, Siberia in surrounding area with one or two sides Asia, North European plains, Indo- Gangetic with steep slopes. Plateaus are formed plains in India, and the Great Central plains when forces from within the Earth uplift a Carefully study the world map in Figure 4.2 and do the following: of North America. Many extensive plains large land area. Uplifted areas of level or result from down warping of the earth’s undulating land form plateaus, sometimes (a) Identify major gulfs, capes, peninsulas, Isthmuses, and straits on each continent crust. Plains found along coastal areas are called tectonic plateaus. (b) Give the importance of each feature you have identified in (a) above. known as coastal plains. These include When an uplifted area slopes down to the coastal plains of Tanzania, Kenya and sloping lower land, it is a table land. South Mozambique. African, Arabian, and Spanish plateaus 0.0 TTS are examples of table land. Some plateaus are formed following successive flow of (b) Block mountains lava, erupting from the interior of the Earth. Such plateaus are known as lava plateaus. A Block Mountain (horst) is an upland area with a table-like structure bordered by faults Examples include the Deccan plateau in India, Columbia and Snake plateau in the United on one or both sides. It is formed when tensional or compressional forces in the crust States of America. Plateaus, which are surrounded by a higher land adjoining mountain, force layers of crustal rocks to break, resulting in central part being uplifted (Figure are called intermontane plateaus. Examples of intermontane plateaus are Bolivian and 4.5). Examples of Block Mountains are the Uluguru and Usambara in Tanzania, and Tibetan plateaus that lie between fold mountain ranges of the Andes in South America, Ruwenzori in Uganda (East Africa), the Vosges and Black Forest Mountains in Europe, Kunlun Shan and the Himalayas in Asia. and Mount Sinai in Asia. Mountains A mountain is part of the earth’s surface that rises abruptly to a greater height, usually above 300 metres from the surrounding level. There are four major types of mountains. These are Fold Mountains, Block Mountains, volcanic mountains, and residual mountains. These mountains are categorised based on the way they were formed. (a) Fold mountains Fold Mountains are features formed mainly by the process of folding or wrinkling of the upper parts of the earth’s crust due to compressional forces. Major Fold Mountains in the world include the Himalayas in Asia, the Rockies and Appalachians in North America, and the Andes in South America. Others are the Alps in Europe, the Atlas in North Africa, and Cape ranges.in South Africa (Figure 4.4). Figure 4.5: Block Mountain Source: hitps://www.mountainprofessor.com/images/yosemite-valley2.jpg (c) Volcanic mountains When rocks are under intense heat and pressure in the earth’s crust they melt and form magma. When the magma inside the earth’s crust finds a weak point in the earth’s crust, they erupt and molten rock flows out as lava. When it cools, it forms a cone. Volcanic Mountains are cone-shaped mountains formed from the cooling and solidification of hot molten rock material (lava) from the interior of the Earth during a volcanic eruption. There are three main types of Volcanic Mountains, depending on the frequency of eruption and the types of lava. Active volcano mountains are the ones which experience periodic eruptions. For example, Oldonyo Lengai in Tanzania, Vesuvius in Italy (Figure 4.6 a), Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Volcanic Mountains, which erupted only once in historical times, are referred to as dormant volcanic mountains, Figure 4.4: Himalaya Mountain since they are no longer active. Examples include Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (Figure Source: https://misunriseside.com/interesting-facts-about-himalayas/ 4.6 b), Mount Ararat in Turkey, Fuji and Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Volcanic Mountains, which have not erupted for a very long time and have not shown any sign of eruption, (d) Residual are known as extinct or dead volcanic mountains. Examples include Mount Rungwe in Residual Mountains are formed because of weathering and erosion of weaker rocks of the Tanzania, Mount Kulal in Kenya, and Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador. already existing mountains, leaving behind resistant rocks (Figure 4.7). The remaining resistant rocks are known as residual mountains or mountains of denudation. Examples of residual mountains include the Sekenke Hills of Singida in Tanzania, the Ahaggar Mountains of Central Sahara and the Adamawa Mountains of Eastern Nigeria. Figure 4.6 (a): Volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in Italy Source: https:/www.hindleygreensacred heart.co.uk/the-nicole- interview-vicious-volcanoes/ Figure 4.7: A Residual mountain Source: https://www.google.com search residual mountains Rift valleys A rift valley is a long narrow deep and steep-sided depression between parallel faults on the earth’s surface. They are formed through tensional or compressional forces when the ground between two parallel faults sinks. The walls of rift valleys form escarpments, which is an elongated steep slope at the edge of an upland area and gentle slope on the other side. The Great East African Rift Valley is the longest valley in the world. It stretches from Jordan, through the Red sea, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania to lower Zambezi in Mozambique. In East Africa, the Great African Rift Valley has two arms, namely the eastern arm and western arm. The eastern arm is occupied by lakes Turkana, Magadi, Eyasi, Natron and Manyara. The western arm is occupied by lakes Nyasa, Rukwa, Tanganyika, Figure 4.6 (b): Kilimanjaro Mountain Kivu, Albert and Edward (Figure 4.8). Another rift valley is the Rhine valley, which is found between the Vosges Mountains in France and Black Forest mountains in Germany. Source: Kilimanjaro National Park  the Amazon Basin in South America. Lakes These sources are the starting points of a Fees’ N such as Victoria in Tanzania and Kyoga in river flow; they feed water into the river’s x € Ethiopia | Uganda are examples of basins occupied channel, which eventually forms a stream, A oa ~. : eee by water. which drains its water towards a river ke mm sf ma mouth. The river’s mouth is a point where hig SS the river discharges its water into the ocean, i sea, lake or swampy area. i 1. With examples explain the economic In Tanzania, the major rivers are Rufiji, i and social importance of the following Ruvuma, Kagera, Pangani, Malagarasi, Kenya i relief features to the community: Ruaha, Wami and Ruvu (Figure 4.9). | Major rivers in Africa include the Nile U (a) Mountains (b) Plains River (6,650 km long), the largest river (c) Plateaus (d) Basins in the world and the Congo River (4,700 (e) Hills (f) Valleys km long). River Nile originates from Lake Victoria basin and discharges its water into 2. Explain how a rift valley differs from the Mediterranean Sea. Other major rivers other valleys. in the world are the Amazon River (South 3. With examples, describe the processes America) 6,400 km long, the Mississippi of mountain formation. 4 River (North America) 6,275 km long, and 4. Describe human activities o Yangtse River (Asia) 6,385 km long. mountains. f Lakes D.R Congo Water bodies on the earth’s*sur face A lake is a hollow or depression in the earth’s surface that contains fresh or A water body is a mass of stationary or salty water. Example of lakes in Tanzania moving water which occupy the surface of eS ) includes Victoria, Tanganyika, Nyasa, Nee ¢2 the Earth. Water bodies can be salty or fresh, Rukwa, Manyara, and Eyasi (Figure Ke : (€ S sig aid saspmann large or small. Water occupies about 71 4.9). All these lakes, except Victoria are percent of the earth’s surface. There is more - S é. 1:9,000,000 rift valley lakes. Lake Victoria is a basin water surface in the southern hemisphere lake. Some lakes are so large that they are XQ than in the northern hemisphere. Some of called seas. Examples of such lakes are the major water bodies are rivers, lakes, Figure 4.8: The Great East African Rift Valley the Caspian Sea, Dead Sea, and the Aral seas, and oceans. Sea. Although most lakes are permanent, Basins Rivers few of them are temporary depending on A basin is a natural depression or bowl-shaped hollow on the earth’s surface, formed climatic variations. Some lakes are natural A river is a mass of fresh water flowing when part of the land sinks due to earth’s movements. These basins vary in size, with whereas others are man-made. For example, by gravity in a definite channel from the some occupied by water. Basins collect water and sediments from surrounding land in Tanzania, natural lakes include Lake source to the mouth. The source of a river surfaces. Some of the basins are found in oceans (ocean basins) or in seas (sea basins) or Victoria, Tanganyika, Nyasa, Rukwa and may be rainfall, natural spring, melting in lakes (lake basins). Other basins are found higher above sea level and are surrounded Manyara while man-made lakes include glacier, marshland, or lake. A river can by mountains. Basins situated above sea level are drained by rivers and their tributaries also originate from underground aquifers. Lake Kidatu, Mtera, Kihansi, and Tipe. are called river basins. These river basins include the Congo River Basin in Africa and Lake Superior in North America is the world’s largest fresh water lake followed by Lake Seas Victoria in East Africa. Lake Baikal in Russia is the deepest fresh water lake in the world A sea is a large body of salty water that is surrounded in whole or in part by land. followed by Lake Tanganyika found in Tanzania. Examples include the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, South China Sea, Sea of Japan, and Yellow Sea. The salinity of a sea depends on the temperature and the amount of fresh UGANDA water from rivers and melting of ice that is discharged into it. High temperature causes high evaporation that increases the salinity, whereas the addition of fresh water decreases salinity due to dilution. Very high salinity occurs in inland seas such as the Dead Sea because of high evaporation and very little input of fresh water that enters them. The Baltic Sea in Europe has very low salinity because several large rivers discharge into it, evaporation is low, and fresh water is added by melting ice and snowsThe seas around the poles generally have low salinity because of low evaporation and addition of water from melting ice. Oceans An ocean is a large body of salty water surrounding the landmass of the Earth. The major oceans of the world are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic Oceans (Figure 4.10). :. ZAMBIA FC) Copter |--=— international Boundary eo 8 60 160 320 480 4 u ee i MOZAMBIQUE T T a ~~ aver save Figure 4.9: Major rivers and lakes in Tanzania Ass at you are to organise} (a) Choose one major water body in African festival about lakes and Africa with regard to Tanzania and ex of Tanzania. What activities and East Africa. ultural events would you include to (b) Prepare information cards or posters showcase the importance of lakes and of such a water body, including rivers to local people? the name of the water body and 2. If Tanzania did not have major inland interesting feature or characteristics water bodies, what could have been of the water body, and thereafter the disadvantages? illustrate the water body on the card or poster. Figure 4.10: Oceans, seas, and major lakes and rivers of the world 3. Suggest possible alternative sources of :.. water that could be used in the absence) | (©) Explain how oceans interact with of major inland water bodies. other water bodies on the planet The oceans of the world with their relative sizes are shown in Table 4.1. The Pacific Earth. Ocean is the largest in size whereas the Arctic is the smallest ocean in size.  Table 4.1: Relative sizes of the world’s major oceans Continental shelf Ocean deep SN Ocean Size (Million Km?) Acontinental shelf is a gently sloping margin An ocean deep (trench) is a long narrow of a continent that is occupied by shallow steep sided depression plunging from the ha | Pacific Ocean 168.7 waters that extend from the coastline to deep sea-plain to the depths of 10000 metres 2 AtlanticOcean 85.1 a depth of about 200 metres towards the or more. The deepest known ocean trench 3 IndianOcean ——70.5 continental slope. Some continental shelves in the world is Mariana Trench, which is provide excellent fishing grounds in the approximately 11000 metres deep. It is 4 Southern Ocean 22.0. world because they are shallow, and they located 11035 metres off the Island of Guam 5 ArcticOcean —15.6 allow the sun’s rays to reach the shelf floor. in the Pacific Ocean. Source: https://www.surfertoday.com/environment/what-are-the-five-oceans-of-the-world Hence, they provide good conditions for the growth of plankton, which fish feed on. Island An island is a piece-of land surrounded Continental slope by water. Islands may occur in oceans, seas, lakes or-rivers. A group of islands 1. What is the difference between an ocean and a ey A continental slope is found at the point is called an archipelago. Examples of an 2. What determines the salinity of oceans and sca ? where the continental shelf forms a steep slope towards the ocean basin. archipelago include Islands of Zanzibar and the Comoros. There are three types of ‘islands: continental islands, oceanic islands, The ocean floor and its features Mid-ocean ridge and coral islands. Ocean floor (sea-bed) refers to a landscape found at the bottom of the ocean. The ocean A mid-ocean ridge is a raised part of the floor is made up of various features. The major features of the ocean floor include the ocean floor. Some of these ridges appear (a) Continental islands continental shelf, the continental slope, oceanic ridges, deep sea plain, ocean deep above the surface of the ocean as oceanic A continental island is a large unbroken (trench), ocean plain, oceanic island, and submarine plateaus (Figure 4.11). islands such as Azores in Portugal and landmass similar to a continental landmass Bouvet in Norway. Examples of the mid- rising from a continental shelf. Examples oceanic ridges are the Mid-Atlantic Ridge of continental islands include Mafia, in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mid-Indian Pemba, Unguja, Philippines, Indonesian, Ridge in the Indian Ocean. Greenland, and Sri Lanka. Deep sea plain (b) Oceanic islands Deep sea-plains are extensive undulating Oceanic Islands rise directly from the areas of the ocean floor. It is also known as ocean floor. Some of the oceanic islands __ abyssal plains. Large parts of these plains are the tops of oceanic ridges, plateaus, % are covered by thin layers of sediments and ocean floor volcanoes. Examples of ~ of both organic and inorganic materials oceanic islands are Hawaii, Cape Verde, brought in by rivers and some from broken Iceland, Canary, and Seychelles. rocks of the ocean floor and cliffs. (c) Coral islands Abyssal hill A coral island is an island, which is built Abyssal hill are small sharp hills rising up from limestone rocks made of skeletons Figure 4.11: Features of the ocean floor from abyssal plain surface. of very small marine organisms called —,—”— ——=s™—TTTTU.... “Sa coral polyps. Examples of coral islands grasslands. Such forests and grasslands are parks or game reserves. These include natural forests of Uluguru, Usambara, Udzungwa, are the Maldives, Aldabra, Bermuda, and made of plants, trees, shrubs, grasses, and Gombe, Selous, and Rubondo. St. Martines Islands. other green vegetation species. Moreover, some vegetation occupies the water bodies and is referred to as aquatic vegetation. The aquatic vegetation consists of plant species such as algae or seaweed, duckweed, and Study the world map showing major other marsh, or mangrove vegetation. rivers. Then, do the following: However, much of the world’s landmass (a) Identify and locate major oceans, is covered by grasslands, seas, and lakes. (b) Identify the respective countries (a) Natural vegetation through which the Nile, Congo, and Amazon rivers flow. Natural vegetation refers to vegetation that grows in a particular region without direct (c) Where do rivers in (b) empty their influence of human beings. It grows under water? natural physical conditions that have not been disturbed by people. The vegetation adapts to the specific environmental Figure 4.12: Forest Vegetation conditions of the place. Natural vegetation Vegetation refers to a community of includes woodlands, forests, grasslands, Grasslands plants, trees, shrubs, grasses, mosses, desert vegetation and swamp vegetation. Grassland vegetation refers to a type of vegetation dominated by grasses. It also includes ferns, and other green species that grow other herbaceous plants.In. grassland vegetation, trees and shrubs are relatively sparse in a particular area. Vegetation gives an or absent. Grasslands vegetation is widespread, it is found on every continent including area a distinct character. It forms the Woodlands Antarctica where tussock grass may be found (Figure 4.13). In Tanzania three major natural landscape of a place. It is an grasslands are Serengeti plains, Kitulo grassland, and Maasai steppe. Serengeti plains Woodlands are wide regions covered by important feature that forms an essential and Maasai’steppe are famous for wildlife, while Kitulo grassland is famously known open and low-density trees. Woodlands part of the earth’s surface. Vegetation as the Serengeti of flowers. are habitat of different plant species supports various animal species, maintains and animals. Examples of woodlands in ecological balance, and contributes to the overall health of the environment through Tanzania include the Miombo woodlands found in Tabora and Ruvuma regions. al — temperature regulation, rain formation and soil protection against erosion. Forests Forest refers to a large area of land covered Types of vegetation predominantly with tall trees and other The vegetation on the surface of the Earth woody vegetation, creating a dense and can be categorised into natural vegetation extensive ecosystem (Figure 4.12). In and planted vegetation. The main vegetation Tanzania, most of these natural forests have cover of the earth’s surface is forests and been designated as forest reserves, national  Desert vegetation This is a type of vegetation found in desert areas. A desert is an area of land with little or no vegetation cover (Figure 4:15). The area receives very little rainfall, which causes few plants and animals to adapt and survive in such condition. Plants adapted to desert and semi-desert conditions include scrub and cactus. In Tanzania semi desert vegetation is found in the central part of the country. E | Val “i Figure 4.13: Grassland vegetation Swamp vegetation A swamp is a wetland with woody vegetation (Figure 4.14). Swamps are waterlogged environments which may be characterised by standing water, shallow or slow-moving water, and waterlogged soils. They are home to a variety of plant species adapted to these unique conditions, including emergent plants, floating plants, submerged plants, trees like mangroves, shrubs, mosses, and ferns. Figure 4.15: Desert vegetation (b) Planted vegetation Planted vegetation is also known as artificial vegetation or man-made. It refers to vegetation that is entirely grown by man and does not occur naturally in the environment. Unlike natural vegetation, planted vegetation is intentionally planted or made to serve specific purposes. Different areas in Tanzania have planted vegetation for different purposes.