a)

Features of the rain forest

1. The forest is evergreen throughout the year with broad leaves
2. The forest is arranged in layers
3. The trees are tall and straight
4. There are many lianas and/or woody climbers which twist around trees
5. The trees have inter-locking canopies
6. Dead leaves, trees and fungi are common in the undergrowth
7. The trees are not found in pure stands
8. The trees have thin barks with buttress roots

b)

Benefits of the rain forest

1. Provides timber exported for foreign exchange
2. Provides timber for construction and furniture
3. Provides raw materials for crafts e.g. cane for basket and wood for carving
4. Provides bark, roots and leaves for preparation of herbal medicine
5. Provides habitat for wild animals e.g. elephants, monkeys, lions, etc.
6. Protects sources of many rivers and keeps them from drying up
7. Provides food e.g. fruits, wild yam
8. Provides the condition for the cultivation of certain crops such as cocoa, cola, rubber, etc.
9. Serves as source of employment for chain-saw operators, farmers, etc.
10. Serves as tourist attractions e.g. Kakum Forest Reserves, the Big Tree near Akim Oda
11. Serves as source of fuel wood and charcoal

a)

b)

c)

Positive effects of rainfall

1. Agriculture: It enables farmers to grow their crops. It also helps the farmers to uproot their crops (tuber crops) as the soil becomes soft
2. Water for domestic and industrial uses: Rainfall enables us to get water for domestic (drinking, washing, cooking, etc.) and for industrial (cooling of engines, mixing of chemicals, etc.) purposes
3. Grass for animal feed: Rainfall enables animals to obtain enough pastures (food) to graze on. The animals grow fat during the rainy season when there is abundant supply of grass
4. Rainfall helps to cool the weather and maintain the vegetation green
5. Rainfall enables hydroelectric dams to run continuously so that there will be uninterrupted electricity supply
6. Provides water for use in the dry season (irrigation)

Negative effects of rainfall

1. Heavy rainfall causes flooding thereby destroying lives and properties making people homeless
2. Flood also makes roads inaccessible to vehicles thereby disrupting economic activities
3. It prevents farmers from drying their crops such as cocoa and grains
4. It causes gully erosion which leads to land degradation

(a)

The importance of Forest Vegetation in Ghana

1. Timber is harvested from the forest for export to earn foreign exchange
2. Timber provides raw materials for saw milling industries
3. The logs are processed into wood for building, construction, plywood and veneer
4. Wood is used in furniture marking, construction of boats and body of cargo vehicles
5. The trees from the forest serve as a major source of fuel/energy such as firewood and charcoal
6. The forest vegetation helps to conserve the fertility of the soil
7. The forest supplies us with Pestle, Mortar and chewing sticks
8. The trees act as windbreaks to reduce the destructive power of strong winds
9. The carpet of leaves under trees in the forest also prevents soil erosion
10. The forest vegetation provides food and habitat for animals (wildlife)
11. Animals in the forest promote forest tourism. Also the creation of Natural parks and game reserves attract tourist
12. The forest vegetation protects water bodies from drying up
13. The forest is a source of employment for many people such as hunters, chainsaw operators, etc.
14. The forest is the source of local medicines. The bark, roots and leaves from trees in the forest are used in preparation of traditional medicine

(b)

Ways by which the forest can be preserved

1. Reforestation: Planting trees to replace felled trees
2. Controlled Felling: Only trees of a stipulated size should be felled
3. Afforestation: Planting trees in areas without forest to create forest
4. Agro-Forestry: Planting of various species of fast growing trees and crops on the same farm
5. The creation of forest reserves: People are not allowed to enter without permission
6. The creation of Natural Parks and game reserves to protect and regenerate the forest
7. Protecting the forest against bush fire by the creation of fire belts around the forest and by legislation
8. Prevention of overgrazing: Herdsmen should not allow their animals to graze at a particular place for a long time
9. Avoiding improper methods of farming
10. Avoiding indiscriminate felling of trees
11. Sanctions should be taken against chainsaw operators

Example,

200

Example,

1820

(a)

Causes of urbanization

1. Better educational facilities
2. For commercial activities (trading, banking, etc.)
3. To enjoy better social amenities such as hospitals, electricity, pipe-borne water etc.
4. Employment or job opportunities
5. Expectation of a higher standard of living or prestige
6. Industrialization/Opening of more industries
7. Rural-urban drift due to poor development in the rural areas
8. Natural increase in population
9. Avoidance of family commitment, social responsibilities and outmoded cultural practices

(b)

Effects of urbanization

1. Overpopulation in the urban areas/depopulation in the rural areas
2. Pressure on social amenities
3. Development of slums
4. Proliferation of social vices
5. Unemployment
6. Environment pollution
7. Overcrowding/congestion/streetism/street hawkers
8. Traffic jams (vehicle and human)
9. High cost of living - rent, food
10. Low agricultural productivity in rural areas