SS7G2: Environmental Issues in Africa

Although Africa is a large, diverse area, it has little fertile soil. Drought, disease, and insects threaten Africa's crops. What must Africans do to capitalize on their land as a resource?

• They must concentrate on diamond trade instead of farming.

• They must develop irrigation techniques and disease-resistant crops.

• They must develop trade areas in order to learn to survive rough conditions.

• They must mine for gold and accept the fact that their land cannot be farmed.

All of these are major issues facing governments in Africa EXCEPT

• famine due to drought, soil erosion, and overpopulation.

• HIV/AIDS becoming the leading cause of death for adults.

• a lack of sufficient, continent-wide economic development.

• pollution and acid rain due to industry and factories in urban areas.

It is difficult to grow crops in much of inland Africa MAINLY because of the region's lack of

• soil.

• sun.

• land.

• water.

Polluted water from a factory has flowed into a river. The water pollution will affect the river in all of the following ways EXCEPT

• increasing the number of fish that live in the river.

• increasing the amount of poisons in the water.

• decreasing the drinkability of the water supply.

• increasing the possible number of sick children who live near the river.

What type of natural disaster is MOST LIKELY being described by these characteristics?

• Lack of food and drinking water for wild animals
• Lower water levels in reservoirs, lakes, and ponds
• Loss of human life

• drought

• earthquake

• fire

• tsunami

Judging from the map, which area of Africa is most vulnerable to deforestation?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Extensive commercial logging, the use of wood for cooking and heating, and excessive clearing of land by subsistence farmers has led to __________________ in most areas of Sub-Saharan Africa.

• erosion

• deforestation

• desertification

• water pollution

Which is an effect of deforestation?

• an increased number of animal species due to the land that has been cleared

• a decrease in the number of floods since there are less trees to trap rainfall

• an increased amount of soil erosion and poor soil quality due to a lack of roots and nutrients

• a larger variety of agricultural products since there are less trees to take out nutrients in the soil

If population growth occurs in an area that depends on farming, what might be a direct result?

• Mining for minerals in the area will decrease.

• Air pollution from farm equipment will increase.

• Deforestation will occur to clear land for additional farms.

• The area will also see an increase in industrial productivity.

Based on the map, the areas of Sub-Saharan Africa that are MOST vulnerable to desertification are

• in the center.

• near the coasts.

• close to deserts.

• in the southern tip.