SECTION E: CLIMATE, VEGETATION AND FIELD WORK.

SECTION E: CLIMATE, VEGETATION AND FIELD WORK. 9. a) Climate is the average weather conditions of a place over a long period, typically 30 years or more, including patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, and atmospheric pressure. b) i) Five characteristics of the climatic region marked 3 (Western Kenya/Lake Victoria Basin) are: Experiences high temperatures* throughout the year. Receives high annual rainfall*, often exceeding 1000 mm. Has a double rainfall maximum*, with two distinct wet seasons. Experiences high humidity*. Has a small diurnal range of temperature*. ii) The vegetation found in the area marked 7 (Northern Kenya, arid/semi-arid region) is adapted to the dry climatic conditions in several ways: Small, waxy leaves or spines*: These reduce the surface area for transpiration, minimizing water loss. The waxy cuticle further prevents evaporation. Deep root systems*: Plants develop long roots to reach underground water sources, allowing them to access moisture deep in the soil. Succulent stems*: Some plants, like cacti, store water in their fleshy stems, enabling them to survive long periods without rainfall. Short life cycles (ephemerals)*: Some plants grow, flower, and produce seeds very quickly after rainfall, completing their life cycle before the dry conditions return. Drought deciduousness*: Some trees and shrubs shed their leaves during prolonged dry periods to conserve water. c) i) Two objectives for the study on desert encroachment could be: To identify the main human activities* contributing to desert encroachment in the marginal area. To assess the socio-economic impacts* of desert encroachment on the local community. ii) Three findings on the cause of the encroachment could be: Overgrazing*: Excessive livestock numbers deplete vegetation cover, exposing soil to erosion by wind and water, leading to land degradation. Deforestation*: Cutting down trees for fuel, timber, or clearing land for agriculture removes protective vegetation, increasing soil erosion and reducing moisture retention. Unsustainable farming practices*: Practices like continuous cropping without fallow periods or proper soil conservation measures deplete soil nutrients and structure, making the land vulnerable to desertification. That's 2 down. 3 left today — send the next one.