How do domestic animals, such as cows and sheep, benefit humans?

They provide us with food such as milk, meat, and wool.

They have no economic or nutritional value for humans.

They harm humans by spreading diseases.

They are only kept as pets and serve no other purpose.

How do wild animals contribute to the balance of ecosystems?

They help in seed dispersal and pollination, which is essential for plant growth.

They disrupt ecosystems by hunting other species.

Wild animals have no impact on the environment.

Their presence is unnecessary for ecosystem stability.

What is one way in which domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, provide companionship to humans?

By offering emotional support and forming strong bonds with their owners.

By causing harm and being aggressive towards humans.

By being indifferent and aloof towards their owners.

They have no capacity for forming relationships with humans.

What is one way in which domestic animals, like horses and oxen, have historically helped humans in agriculture?

By providing labor for tasks such as plowing fields and pulling carts.

By competing with humans for resources in agriculture.

They serve no purpose in agricultural practices.

By destroying crops and hindering farming activities.

How do domestic animals, such as bees, contribute to the pollination of plants?

By transferring pollen from one flower to another while collecting nectar.

By avoiding flowers altogether.

By feeding on the petals of flowers.

By scaring away other pollinators from plants.

Why are wild and domestic animals important to human beings?

They are detrimental to the ecosystem.

They have no impact on our environment.

They are only useful for entertainment purposes.

How do wild animals bring foreign currency?

Animals have no impact on human health.

How are animals used in communities?

They avoid contact with soil altogether.

They have no role in soil health.

Importance of wild and domestic animals

• There are two groups of animals which are important in agriculture. • The groups are domestic and wild animals. 1. Domestic animals • These are animals which are trained to live with people in their homes. • Some examples includes : Uses of domestic animals • Source of food, for example milk, eggs and meat. • For cultural purposes, for example paying lobola. • Some are used for transport and labour. • Domestic animals can also be a source of income. 2 . Wild animals • These are animals which are found in game reserves and in the forests • They are also called game animals. • Examples of wild animals are: Uses of wild animals • Some of the wild animals give us meat, hides and ivory. • Wild animals attract visitors from other countries, so the country gets money. Wednesday 06 September 2023 Exercise: Domestic animals 1. What is a domestic animal? [2] 2. What is a wild animal? [2] 3. Name any 4 domestic animals that you know. [4] 4. State any 2 uses of domestic animals. [2] 5. Name any 3 wild animals that you know. [3] 6. Give 2 uses of wild ani mals. [2] 7. Wild animals can also be called animals. [1] • Animals, like human beings need good food to help them to grow and reproduce. • The main sources of food for animals include stock feeds, pastures, veld grass, crop remains and cereal grains. • These foods contain the most needed essential nutrients. Nutrient Function carbohydrates Gives energy Fats Give energy and warmth Proteins Helps in growth and repair of body parts Minerals Help in the formation of bones and teeth Vitamins Help develop good sight, improve fertility and help animals fight diseases Water Transports food in the body, cools the body and remove waste from the body. • Livestock are domesticated animals that are kept for food, use or for sale. • Small livestock has many uses. • They are a good source of food. • They also give us manure to use in gardens. • We get clothes and medicine as well from small livestock • Examples of small livestock are rabbits, sheep, goats and all form of poultry Poultry • All animals that are kept by farmers which have wings and feathers and lay eggs are called poultry. • They are a good source of white meat, eggs and manure. • They are also a source of income when we well them and their products. • Poultry includes chicken, guinea fowl, ducks, turkey, pigeons and quail birds. Rabbits • Rabbits have 3 known uses which are: They are kept for meat Kept for pelts. (pelt is animal skin used to make blankets, hats and jackets) They are used at agricultural shows • Rabbits are cheap to buy, easy to keep and feed. • They take about 4 months to mature. • Rabbits are fed using green vegetables and rabbit pellets. Wednesday 20 September 2023 Small livestock 1. Give 3 examples of small livestock. [3] 2. State 3 things that are provided by small livestock. [3] 3. What are the 2 uses of rabbits? [2] 4. Pelts are used to make _________________ [1] 5. State any 4 examples poultry. [4] 6. Rabbits take ___________ months to mature. [1] 7. What is poultry? • Apiculture is the keeping of bees in order for them to produce honey for sale. • Apiculture is very important because: (i) Provides honey - a valuable nutritional food (ii) Provides bees wax - which has many uses in industry Uses of wax For making candles Polish furniture Make crayons Prevent tools from rusting (iii) Honey bees are excellent pollinating agents, thus increasing agricultural yields. BEE COLONY Inhabitants of the bee colony and their roles • A honey bee colony typically consists of three kinds of adult bees: workers, drones and the queen 1. Workers • Workers are the smallest and constitute the majority of bees occupying the colony. • They do not lay eggs. • Workers have specialized structures, such as brood food glands, scent glands, wax glands, and pollen baskets. • these allow them to perform all the labors of the hive. Roles of the worker bees they forage for nectar, pollen, water, and plant sap. They clean and polish the cells. feed the brood. care for the queen. remove debris. handle incoming nectar. build beeswax combs. guard the entrance. 2. Drones • Drones (male bees) are the largest bees in the colony. • They are generally present only during late spring and summer. • The drone’s head is much larger than that of either the queen or worker. • Drones have no stinger, pollen baskets, or wax glands. • Their main function is to mate with the queen. 3 . Queen • Each colony has only one queen. • The queen is the largest of the bees in a bee colony. • The Queen Bee plays a vital role in the hive because she is the only female with fully developed ovaries. • She produces both fertilized and unfertilized eggs. • Queens lay the greatest number of eggs in the spring and early summer. • The queen also produce chemical scents that help regulate the unity of the colony. 1. What is apiculture? [2] 2. Give 3 reasons why apiculture is important in Zimbabwe. [3] 3. Name the 3 inhabitants of the bee colony. [3] 4. Briefly explain the roles of each inhabitant named in number 3. • Apart from using hand tools, farmers also use some farm implements and machinery to carry out their field work. • Machines help farmers do their work more easily and quickly. • The most common implements used by farmers to grow, harvest and transport their produces are:  mouldboard plough Cultivator Scotch cart Harrow Planter Maize sheller  combine harvesters Boom sprayers Disc harrow Spike toothed harrow KNAPSACK SPRAYER • Farming is a business. • Communal farmers grow crops and keep animal mainly for their own use. • If there is any extra they sell to get money. • Commercial farmers grow crops and keep animals for sale. • Crops and animals produced are called farm produce. • There are places were farmers have to sell their produce. • Farmers can take their produce to local markets. • A market is a place where buying and selling occurs. • Some of the local markets includes: A shopping centre A school A nearest bus stop A local village A school Local Grain Marketing Board depot (GMB) Types of farm produce Beef Fruits Mutton Eggs Vegetables Pork Milk Chicken Cereals/grains beans

Importance of farm animals and wild animals

Orchard / fruit trees Importance of fruit trees • Fruit trees are important for the following uses: They are a source of food, they produce fruits Some are used for making medicines Others provide shade and can also act as wind breakers. Those with beautiful flowers are very decorative. They contain vitamins which means they have nutritional value. Classification of fruit trees • Fruit trees are classified as indigenous and exotic. Indigenous fruit trees • are those that natural grow in a country. • They take longer to grow. • Examples of indigenous fruit trees are: English name Shona Name Snot apple Water berry Red ivory Fig Monkey orange Wild custard apple Mobola fruit Exotic fruit trees • These are trees that were brought from other countries. • They are commercially grown in orchards. • Common exotic fruit trees include: • Exotic fruit trees grow faster than indigenous. Ornamental horticulture • It deals with the growing of decorative plants. • Decorative plants are collectively called ornamental plants. • They include trees, shrubs, flowers and lawn grasses. Importance of ornamental plants They beautify the environment. Flowers often produce a pleasing fragrance. Flowers attract insects like bees that are responsible for pollination. Plants produce oxygen that we need for breathing. • Some are used for making medicines. • Lawn grasses prevent soil erosion. • Plants provide shelter for birds and insects. Classification of ornamental plants • There are four classes of ornamental plants. Trees Shrubs Flowers Lawn Trees: • Ornamental trees are very useful as decorative plants. • This is because most of these trees produce beautiful flowers and some are ever green. • Examples of decorative trees include flamboyant, jacaranda, pines, Cyprus. Shrubs: • A shrub is a woody plant with many branches but smaller than a tree. • Some of them are ornamentals because they produce beautiful flowers. • Others can be cut into decorative shapes. • The golden duranta is good example because it can be cut into nice shapes. • The bougainvillea is another example of a decorative plant because: It can act as a climbing plant. It produces decorative flowers. It can also be cut into any shape using a hedge shear. Flowers: • Flowers have the following functions: They are used for decorations at weddings, hotels and parties. They are used as an expression of love and appreciation such as valentine’s day and get well soon messages. They are useful in bee farming called apiculture as they are a source of nectar used for making honey. Flowers produce a pleasant fragrance used in the production of soaps and scents for perfumes, deodorant and lotions. Lawn: • A lawn is an area of grass that is kept cut short and is usually part of someone's garden or backyard, or part of a park. • Some lawn grasses grown in Zimbabwe are Durban, kikuyu, couch and buffalo lawn. • They prevent soil erosion. • They also provide a comfortable outdoor resting place. Forestry Importance of trees • Trees are important to us and animals. • The Forestry Commission is responsible for taking care of trees in Zimbabwe. • Trees are also important to the environment because: They are a source of fuel in the form of firewood. They are used for making most of the furniture we use. Most medicines come from both exotic and indigenous trees, for example pine trees and gum trees are used for making cough medicines. Trees provide browsing animals like the kudu and giraffe with food. Fruits from both exotic and indigenous fruit trees are a rich source of vitamins Trees give out oxygen which we need for breathing. Trees provide timber that can be used for roofing. • Trees are grouped according to where they come from. • The groups are indigenous and exotic. 1 . Indigenous trees : • These are local trees that have always been grown in their country. Shona name English name Mutohwe Snot apple Mususu Yellow wood Mubvamaropa Blood wood Muuyu Baobab Muonde Fig tree Musasa msasa Characteristics of indigenous trees  take longer to mature  Do not produce straight poles  Grow on their own  Hard wood 2 .Exotic trees : • These are trees that have been brought from another country to be grown in Zimbabwe. Characteristics of exotic trees  They are brought in a country from another country. Grow very fast.  Have soft woods  Usually grow straight  Usually grown in orchards and plantations Common exotic trees in Zimbabwe are: Gum trees Pine trees Wattle Cyprus Date palm Mango Apple pawpaw Causes of plant damage • plant damage is when cultivated crops are kept from normal growth that leads to reduced yields. • plant damage is caused by both living and non living things. • Some of the common causes of crop damage are: (a)Pests • These are living organisms that cause physical damage to crops. • Examples of pests are weevils, army worm, aphids, cutworms and locusts. (b) Diseases • Plant diseases are caused by living organisms called pathogens. • These pathogens infest the plant and take away nutrients. • Fruit rot and bacteria spot are some of the examples of plant diseases. (c) Weeds • these are plant which grow where they are not wanted. • For example if black jack grows in a groundnut field, it is a weed. • Weeds compete for nutrients with cultivated plants. (d) Very high temperatures • High temperatures may cause crops to wither. • High temperatures may also lead to lightning and fires. • This can burn up crops. ( e) Frost • Frost damages crops in winter. • Tomatoes, potatoes, and beans are easily damaged by frost. (f) Drought • drought is when there is no rainfall in a season where it supposed to be raining. • It is one of the most serious forms of crop damage. • Plants wither and die if there is no rainfall. ( g) Animals • Wild animals like baboons often eat maize crops before they mature. • Birds also are a problem to crops like sorghum. Signs of plant damage • There are various signs that show plant damage. • Some can be corrected but some lead to total loss. • Some signs of plant damage include: Lodged plants Flowers and small fruits blown to the ground Dull leaf color Wilted plants Stunted growth

Classification of plants • Plants can be classified as cultivated and wild plants. • Both cultivated and wild plants are very useful to people, animals and the environment. 1. Cultivated plants: • Cultivated plants are plants grown by people for selling. • They can be grown in the field, vegetable garden, home garden and orchard. Classification of plants 2. Wild plants Wild plants are plants that grow on their own outside the garden, orchard or field. They have many uses such as: • Food for people and animals • Shelter • Source of fuel in form of firewood. • Examples include, grasses, msasa, yellow wood, mahogany, mopane Plant Nutrition • The presence of plant nutrients in the soil make them grow well. • The three major plant nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Sources of plant nutrients • The source for plant nutrients are grouped into organic and inorganic sources. Organic sources of plant nutrients • These are found in nature. • They are natural materials such, decayed plant and animal matter which include: • Animal manure from cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and pigs. • Green manure • Legume crops like beans, peas and groundnuts. • Humus • These material sources may also be called natural fertilizers. Inorganic sources of plant nutrients • These are sources of plant nutrients made by people in industries. They include: • Compound fertilizers like compound A, B, C and D. • These have two or more nutrients. • Straight fertilizers like ammonium nitrate, single super phosphate and urea. • A straight fertilizer supplies a single or more nutrient to the crop. A straight fertilizer A Compound fertilizer Sources of N,P,K • Ammonium nitrate and Urea- contain nitrogen Double super Phosphate, Single super phosphate-contain phosphorus • Muriate of Potash contains Potassium 2 . Compound fertilisers -have two or three of the three major plant nutrients (N.P.K). N-nitrogen P-phosphorus K-potassium Examples Compound D Wednesday 17 May 2023 Revision exercise (Plant nutrition) 1 .Name the 3 plant nutrients needed by plants. 2. What are the 2 groups of plant nutrients sources? 3. Give 3 examples of organic sources of plant nutrients. 4. What is a straight fertilizer? 5. Compound fertilizer supplies ……………or ………………. Nutrients. Vegetable crops • A vegetable is any part of a plant that is eaten by humans as food part of a meal. • Vegetables are grouped and named according to the part that is eaten. • These are leaf, root, fruit, flower, bulb, tuber and legume vegetables. Leaf vegetables Types of veg Legume etable cropsvegetables Fruit vegetables Root, bulb and tuber Flower vegetables Cabbage Peas Tomato Root: carrots Cauliflower Rape Green beans Pepper Parsnip broccoli Spinach Melons Beetroot Tsunga Cucumber Bulb: onion Lettuce Squash Garlic kale Egg plant Leek chillies Tuber: Irish potato Wednesday 31 May 2023 Vegetable crops 1. What is a vegetable? 2. Which one is not a vegetable from the list below? a. Covo B. cabbage C. wheat D. tomato 3. Choose a vegetable which is not a fruit vegetable. a. tomato B. pepper C. kale D. egg plant 4. From which pair of vegetables do we eat the flower? A. cauliflower and garlic B. broccoli and cauliflower C. broccoli and rape D. cauliflower and pepper 5. Give one example of a vegetable belonging to each of the following groups. a. root b. legume c. bulb 6. Name any 5 groups of vegetable classification according to the parts eaten. Growing leaf vegetables • Although there are many types of vegetables, the leaf, fruit and bulb vegetables are widely grown. • Leaf vegetables form the greater part of vegetable crops. • Leaf vegetables belong to a family called brassica. • Brassicas include cabbages, lettuce, spinach, covo and many others. • Each brassica family has got its own varieties called cultivar. • They usually grow under the same climatic conditions and are affected by the same pests and diseases. • The selection of a variety depends on the following : The intended use of the vegetable, for example, salad, stew or snacks. Days taken to mature. Disease resistant Season of the year Seedbed preparation • Brassica vegetables are usually raised in seedbeds. • The seedbeds are prepared by: • Marking the position of the bed 1 meter in width by any length using a tape measure, hammer and pegs. • Digging a seedbed to a depth of 25 to 30cm using a hoe. • Breaking lumps of soil using a garden rake. Soil requirements • Brassicas need: • Well drained soils. • Fertile soil for good growth • Slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5-6) Climatic requirements • Brassicas need cool to warm temperatures. • Very low temperatures cause cabbages to flower which is called bolting. • Brassicas can be grown throughout the year. Seedbed preparation • Brassica seedlings are usually raised in seedbeds. • A seedbed is prepared by: Marking the position of the bed 1 metre in width by any length using a tape measure, hammer and pegs. Digging a seedbed to depth of 25 to 30 cm using a hoe. Breaking lumps of soil using a garden rake. This is done in order to have a fine tilth and improve soil to seed contact. Making ridges that a 15cm high. Apply 3 to 5kg/m² of well decomposed manure. 60 to 100g/m² of compound fertilizer can be added into the soil. Management of vegetable crops • After transplanting the seedlings, the seedlings need to be looked after. (a)Controlling weeds: all vegetables must be kept weed free. • This is done either by hand pulling weeds or shallow cultivation using a hand fork. (b) Pest control: common pests that affect the brassicas are aphids and diamond black moth larva. • Aphids are small green insects that suck the juice from the leaves leaving them with curls. • They are controlled by spraying malathion using the instructions on the label. (c) Disease control: bacterial diseases are common in brassicas. • Common diseases are black rot and soft rot, especially in cabbages. • These are controlled by: Crop rotation Early planting Planting resistant cultivars (d) Top dressing: brassicas are top dressed using Ammonium Nitrate at a rate of 2.5g per plant. • Top dressing is usually done 3 or 4 weeks after germination. FIELD CROPS • Field crops are crops that are grown on a large piece of land. • Example of field crops:  Maize  Cotton  Groundnuts  Roundnuts  Wheat  Sunflower  Tobacco  Sugar cane  Tea  Coffee  Soya beans  sorghum Classification of field • Field crops can be classified according to use such crops cereal, fibre, sugar and oil. 1. Cereal crops: • A cereal is a grass grown for its edible seeds. • They are also known as grain crops. • The major cereal crops are maize, wheat, rice, barley, sorghum and millet. 2 . fiber crops : • these are crops which are grown for their fiber and are used in making textiles, ropes and rugs. • Important fiber crops are cotton, flax and sisal 3. Oil seed crops: • These crops are grown for the purpose of extracting oil from their seed. • The main oil seed crops are groundnuts, sunflower, soyabean and cotton seed. 4 . Sugar crops : • Sugar crops include sugarcane,

WHAT DOES THE WORLD GAIN WHEN WE PROTECT TIGERS? Tigers are one of the world’s most recognized animals. Throughout history they can be seen in cultural traditions across Asia, as well as in brand images and logos the world over. But while they might be omnipresent across our cultural landscape, their actual existence in the wild has been dramatically reduced to only a few pockets of their historical range. Wild tigers are now found in just 10 countries, their historical range shrunk by over 95%.er / WWF-US If tigers completely disappeared, we’d be losing so much more than an iconic species… Protecting water sources for millions of people Tiger habitats overlap nine of Asia’s most important watersheds which supply water to more than 800 million people. Protecting these tiger forests is the most cost-effective way to prevent droughts, reduce flooding, and limit the impacts of climate change. Protected Areas are proven to reduce deforestation and across Asia tigers are the driving force behind creating and effectively managing protected areas. For example, India recently declared its 51st Tiger Reserve, Srivilliputhur Megamalai, in southern India and this new protected area will safeguard more than 1,000km2 of key river habitat. Lose tigers, and lose entire forests Here in Cambodia, where I photographed the country’s last wild tiger in November 2007, tiger spirits were used by indigenous communities to help regulate the management of forests and wildlife. Harvesting of valuable plants was only permitted in certain times of the year and only after the tiger spirits had been appeased. Failure to adhere would result in wild tigers stalking you in the forest. However, with the extinction of the tiger the spirits have vanished, and the forests become an open free-for-all.aysia / Lau Ching Fong Protecting tigers also protects a multitude of other species Tiger-protected areas save much of Asia’s amazing wildlife. Take, for example, India’s Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam where tiger populations are increasing. In addition to tigers the grasslands and forests of Manas Tiger Reserve support the only viable global population of the world’s smallest, and rarest pig –pygmy hog – and, my personal favorite, the Bengal florican. This critically endangered gamebird, which I studied for my doctorate, finds a mate with an elaborate display involving males shooting themselves into the sky before plummeting down kicking their legs as if riding a bicycle. Without tigers, these and many more species would not be as well protected. A cultural and spiritual icon for millions There are plenty of examples of mythical animals, such as the unicorn, and extinct creatures, like the dodo and dinosaurs, which remain part of international consciousness. Tigers are a global phenomenon, but unless conservation is successful, they will only be known in zoos or in cultural media. A world without tigers would be economically and spiritually a much poorer place. Let us continue focusing our efforts towards doubling wild tigers and ensuring that this species does not become a vanished cultural icon.

Soils Southeast Asia, on balance, has a higher proportion of relatively fertile soils than most tropical regions, and soil erosion is less severe than elsewhere. Much of the region, however, is covered by tropical soils that generally are quite poor in nutrients. Often the profusion of plant life is more related to heat and moisture than to soil quality, even though these climatic conditions intensify both chemical weathering and the rate of bacterial action that usually improve soil fertility. Once the vegetation cover is removed, the supply of humus quickly disappears. In addition, the often heavy rainfall leaches the soils of their soluble nutrients, hastens erosion, and damages the soil texture. The leaching process in part results in laterites of reddish clay that contain hydroxides of iron and alumina. Laterite soils are common in parts of Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam and also occur in the islands of the Sunda Shelf, notably Borneo. The most fertile soils occur in regions of volcanic activity, where the ejecta is chemically alkaline or neutral. Such soils are found in parts of Sumatra and much of Java in Indonesia. The alluvial soils of the river valleys also are highly fertile and are intensively cultivated. Climate All of Southeast Asia falls within the warm, humid tropics, and its climate generally can be characterized as monsoonal (i.e., marked by wet and dry periods). Changing seasons are more associated with rainfall than with temperature variations. There is, however, a high degree of climatic complexity within the region. Temperatures Regional temperatures at or near sea level remain fairly constant throughout the year, although monthly averages tend to vary more with increasing latitude. Thus, with the exception of northern Vietnam, annual average temperatures are close to 80 °F (27 °C). Increasing elevation acts to decrease average temperatures, and such locations as the Cameron Highlands in peninsular Malaysia and Baguio in the Philippines have become popular tourist destinations in part because of their relatively cooler climates. Proximity to the sea also tends to moderate temperatures. Precipitation Much of Southeast Asia receives more than 60 inches (1,500 millimeters) of rainfall annually, and many areas commonly receive double and even triple that amount. The rainfall pattern is distinctly affected by two prevailing air currents: the northeast (or dry) monsoon and the southwest (or wet) monsoon. The northeast monsoon occurs roughly from November to March and brings relatively dry, cool air and little precipitation to the mainland. As the southwestward-flowing air passes over the warmer sea, it gradually warms and gathers moisture. Precipitation is especially heavy where the airstream is forced to rise over mountains or encounters a landmass. The east coast of peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, and parts of eastern Indonesia receive the heaviest rains during this period. The southwest monsoon prevails from May to September, when the air current reverses and the dominant flow is to the northeast. The mainland receives the bulk of its rainfall during this period. Over much of the southern Malay Peninsula and insular Southeast Asia there is little or no prolonged dry season. This is especially marked in much of the equatorial region and along the east coast of the Philippines. While the dry and wet monsoons are important in explaining rainfall patterns, so too are such factors as relief, land and sea breezes, convectional overturning and cyclonic disturbances. These factors often are combined with monsoonal effects to produce highly variable rainfall patterns over relatively short distances. While many of the cyclonic disturbances produce only moderate rainfall, others mature into tropical storms—called cyclones in the Indian Ocean and typhoons in the Pacific—that bring heavy rains and destruction to the areas over which they pass. The Philippines are particularly affected by these storms. Plant life Tropical forests in Southeast Asia Tropical forests in Southeast Asia The seasonal nature and pattern of Southeast Asia’s rainfall, as well as the region’s physiography, have strongly affected the development of natural vegetation. The hot, humid climate and enormous variety of habitats have given rise to an abundance and diversity of vegetative forms unlike that in any other area of the world. Much of the natural vegetation has been modified by human action, although large areas of relatively untouched land still can be found. The vegetation can be grouped into two broad categories: the tropical-evergreen forests of the equatorial lowlands and the open type of tropical-deciduous, or “monsoon,” forests in areas of seasonal drought. The evergreen forests are characterized by multiple stories of vegetation, consisting of a variety of trees and plants. Although a large diversity of tree species is found in these forests, members of the Dipterocarpaceae family account for roughly half of the varieties. Deciduous forests are found in eastern Indonesia and those parts of the mainland where annual rainfall does not exceed 80 inches. Just as in the equatorial forest, a wide variety of species is normally the rule. Certain species, such as teak, have become highly valued commercially. Teak is found in parts of Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos. In addition to these two basic types of vegetation, other regional patterns reflect topography. Especially noteworthy are coastal and highland plant communities. Mangrove belts, of which there are more than 30 varieties, occur where silt is deposited in coastal areas. Upland forests dominated by maples, oaks, and magnolias are found especially on mainland mountain slopes. Human activity has been rapidly altering the stands of virgin forest in Southeast Asia. Most deforestation results from removal for fuelwood and clearing for agriculture and grazing. Although only a relatively small portion of the total land area has been permanently cleared for cultivation—e.g., in Java (Indonesia) and western Luzon (the Philippines)—in some areas shifting cultivation has brought about the replacement of virgin forest with secondary growth. In addition, nearly all countries have commercial logging industries; notable are those in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Myanmar. A growing problem has been illegal logging. Thus, timber harvesting has come to contribute significantly to deforestation. Programs in social forestry and reforestation have yet to halt the rapid denuding of the landscape. Animal life Southeast Asia is situated where two major divisions of the world’s fauna meet. The region itself constitutes the eastern half of what is called the Oriental, or Indian, zoogeographic region (part of the much larger realm of Megagaea). Bordering along the south and east is the Australian zoogeographic region, and the eastern portion of insular Southeast Asia—Celebes (Sulawesi), the Moluccas, and the Lesser Sunda Islands—constitutes a transition zone between these two faunal regions. a classroom in Brazil More From Britannica education: Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is notable, therefore, for a considerable diversity of wildlife throughout the region. These differences are especially striking between the species of the eastern and western fringes as well as between those of the archipelagic south and the mainland north. The differences stem largely from the isolation, over varying lengths of geologic time, of species following their migration from the Asian continent. In addition, the tropical rain forests in many parts of the region, with their great diversity of vegetation, have made possible the development of complex communities of animals that fill specialized ecological niches. Especially numerous are arboreal and flying creatures. orangutans orangutansOrangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in Sumatra, Indonesia. The distinction between the two faunal regions is best depicted by their mammal populations. In general, Australia is inhabited largely by marsupials (pouched mammals) and monotremes (egg-laying mammals), while Southeast Asia contains placental mammals and such hybrid species as the bandicoot of eastern Indonesia. Small mammals such as monkeys and shrews are the most numerous, while in many areas the larger mammals have been pushed into more remote areas and national preserves. Bears, gibbons, elephants, deer, civets, and pigs are found in both mainland and insular Southeast Asia, as are diminishing numbers of tigers. The Malayan tapir, a relative of the rhinoceros, is native to the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, while the tarsier is found in the Philippines and parts of Indonesia. A number of rare endemic species are found in Indonesia and East (insular) Malaysia, including the Sumatran and Javan rhinoceros, the orangutan, the anoa (a dwarf buffalo), the babirusa (a wild swine), and the palm civet. As the pace of development accelerates and populations continue to expand in Southeast Asia, concern has increased regarding the impact of human activity on the region’s environment. A significant portion of Southeast Asia, however, has not changed greatly and remains an unaltered home to wildlife. The nations of the region, with only few exceptions, have become aware of the need to maintain forest cover not only to prevent soil erosion but to preserve the diversity of flora and fauna. Indonesia, for example, has created an extensive system of national parks and preserves for this purpose. Even so, such species as the Javan rhinoceros face extinction, with only a handful of the animals remaining in western Java

Lena: Wow, Max! It feels so different in the forest. The air is so fresh! Max: I know! I love the fresh smell of the trees and plants. It’s peaceful here. Lena: And quiet too. Listen... total silence. Max: Yeah, I like the silence. It gives me a sense of calm. Lena: Me too. I also feel a sense of adventure! Let’s explore more! Max: I’m eager to find something cool—like an animal or a cave! Lena: Me too! I’m eager to take pictures for our nature project. Max: Look at those long shadows on the path! The sun is behind the trees. Lena: The shadows make everything look magical. It’s like a fairy tale! Max: Do you think animals have to adapt to the forest? Lena: Yes! They must adapt to the seasons and find food in all weather. Max: I like how animals live with so much freedom here. Lena: Yeah, that freedom to run, fly, and live in the wild is amazing. Max: Nature is awesome. I hope we can help protect the climate too. Lena: Yes, keeping the climate healthy is important for animals—and for us!

Importance of mangrove in flood and tsunami

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