College of Social Sciences

Department of Geography and Environment Studies

Geography of Ethiopia and the Horn

Natural Vegetation
Group members ID Number

1. Abraham Alke UGR/1512/16

2. Ajwa Muhaba UGR/0737/16
3. Betsinat Wendwesen UGR/2787/16
4. Birku Melkie UGR/6442/16
5. Firdous Munir UGR/9800/16
6. Henok Amare UGR/4959/16
7. Obssa Degefu UGR/1131/16
8. Yosef Akalu UGR/4020/16

Submitted to:- Elias I.

` 2024
Acknowledgement

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to God for granting us the knowledge, strength,
and guidance throughout our assignment. We also sincerely thank our Geography teacher, Mr.
Elias I., for the guidance and encouragement in finishing this assignment. Last but not least, we
would like to express our gratitude to our friend, Yusra Tofik, and other respondents for the support
and willingness to help us.

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Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1
Natural Vegetation........................................................................................................................................ 2
TYPES OF NATURAL VEGETATION ................................................................................................................. 2
1. FOREST .............................................................................................................................................. 2
2. GRASSLAND ....................................................................................................................................... 3
3. TUNDRA ............................................................................................................................................ 4
4. Desert ................................................................................................................................................ 4
5. Ice sheets .......................................................................................................................................... 5
IMPORTANCE OF NATURAL VEGETATION..................................................................................................... 5
Challenges of vegetation............................................................................................................................... 6
Solutions ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Distribution of Natural Vegetation in Ethiopia ............................................................................................. 9
1. Afro-alpine vegetation (4,000 – 4,620 m a.s.l) ................................................................................ 10
2. Forest Region (450 to 3,500 m a.s.l)................................................................................................ 10
3. Woodland Savannah Region (250 - 2300m a.s.l) ............................................................................. 11
4. Steppe Region (100 to 1,400 m a.s.l) ............................................................................................... 12
5. Semi-desert Region (130m b.s.l to 600m a.s.l) ................................................................................ 12
Summary ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 14
References .................................................................................................................................................. 15

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 Introduction

Ethiopia, located in the Horn of Africa, is a country known for its rich biodiversity and diverse natural
landscapes. The natural vegetation of Ethiopia is incredibly varied due to its diverse climate,
topography, and altitude, making it one of the most ecologically diverse countries in Africa. Ethiopia's
natural vegetation can be broadly classified into different zones, each characterized by unique plant
communities. Starting from the lowland areas, we find the arid and semi-arid regions, which are mainly
covered by desert and semi-desert vegetation. These areas are characterized by drought-resistant plants
such as acacia trees, euphorbias, and thorny shrubs. Moving to the highland regions, which constitute
a significant portion of Ethiopia's landmass, we encounter a different range of vegetation types. The
Ethiopian Highlands, including the rugged Simien and Bale Mountains, are known for their lush
montane forests. These forests are home to a variety of trees, including junipers, African redwoods,
and various species of Afro-alpine giant lobelias. As we ascend to higher altitudes, we reach the Afro-
alpine zone, which is characterized by unique vegetation found above the tree line. Here, the landscape
is dominated by grasses, heathers, and unique plant species specifically adapted to the harsh conditions,
such as the Ethiopian rose and the Ethiopian giant lobelia. In the Rift Valley region, which runs through
Ethiopia, we find a mix of vegetation types, including savannah grasslands, acacia woodlands, and
riverine forests. These areas support a diverse range of wildlife, including zebras, antelopes, and
various bird species. Ethiopia is also home to several national parks and protected areas that preserve
its natural vegetation and ecosystems. These include the Simien Mountains National Park, Bale
Mountains National Park, and the Omo National Park, among others. These protected areas serve as
havens for endangered species and provide opportunities for ecotourism and research. However, like
many other countries, Ethiopia faces environmental challenges such as deforestation, soil erosion, and
climate change, which pose threats to its natural vegetation. Efforts to conserve and sustainably manage
these ecosystems are crucial to preserve Ethiopia's rich biodiversity and ensure the well-being of its
people and wildlife. In conclusion, Ethiopia's natural vegetation is incredibly diverse, ranging from
arid deserts to lush montane forests and Afro-alpine meadows. The country's unique climate,
topography, and altitude contribute to this rich tapestry of plant life. Preserving and protecting
Ethiopia's natural vegetation is of utmost importance to maintain its biodiversity, support local
livelihoods, and ensure a sustainable future for the country.

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 Natural Vegetation
Natural vegetation refers to a plant community, which has grown naturally without human aid and
has been left undisturbed by humans for a long time. It is grown as a result of prevailing climate,
soil and biotic conditions. This type of vegetation is formed naturally without human intervention
or without agricultural practices. As a result, cultivated crops, fruits and orchards are not natural
vegetation but rather man-made vegetation. Natural vegetation includes virgin vegetation, which
is vegetation that is found in remote area and has not been disturbed by human activities, and
vegetation regenerated by natural means and is controlled by the climatic conditions of the region
in which it is found.

TYPES OF NATURAL VEGETATION

There are many types of natural vegetation in the world. Natural vegetation varies from each other
based on several factors such as climate, soil, topography, and disturbance and scientists classify
areas that have distinct types of plants, soil, and weather patterns into one type of natural
vegetation. Natural vegetation can be divided into five major types: forest, grassland, tundra,
desert, and ice sheet.

1. FOREST
A forest is an ecosystem dominated by trees. According to the parameters established by the FAO
(Food and agriculture organization), an area must cover at least half a hectare, or about one and a
quarter acre, to be considered a forest. The trees in the area must also be able to grow to heights
above 16 feet and have a canopy that covers at least 10% of the sky. Although the vast majority of
forests have a mixed population of trees, meaning there is almost always more than one type of
tree growing in a particular area, we can also differentiate types of forests. Forests can be classified
based on location (latitude), climate and biodiversity.

Based on their location (latitude):-

 Boreal forests (Taiga): are found in North America, Asia, and Europe, between 50 and 60
degrees latitudes. Due to the cold climate, boreal forests have low species diversity
compared to other forests. Flora and fauna are adapted to short growing seasons and cold

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 temperatures. Boreal forests are a significant carbon store, with shallow, acidic, nutrient-
poor soils and conifers as the predominant tree species.
 Temperate forests: Temperate forests are found in mid-latitudes and have four seasons.
They're located in temperate regions between polar and tropical regions. The Earth's tilt
causes different sunlight amounts, resulting in seasonal changes. Soils are fertile with
organic matter for plant growth.
 Tropical forests: located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, are highly bio
diverse ecosystems that efficiently process nutrients. Decomposers quickly break down
dead matter, making nutrients available to other organisms. However, this leaves the soil
poor in nutrients. To adapt, tropical forests have shallow root systems that make it easier
for plants to absorb nutrients from the soil.

Based on their biodiversity: -

 Coniferous Forest: These forests are dominated by cone-bearing trees, also known as
conifers, and are primarily located in the northern regions of North America, Europe, and
Asia.
 Deciduous Forest: Broadleaved forests in America and Europe shed leaves in late summer
to early autumn, with the leaves changing colors before falling.
 Mixed Forest: Deciduous and Coniferous trees as both types constitute mixed forests,
which are mostly found in mountainous areas. These are found almost every part of the
world.
 Mediterranean Forests: They are also called scrublands as its temperature is suitable for
short oaks and pines to grow. The Mediterranean forest contains a wide variety of
wildflowers and insect-eating birds. This forest is also termed as “maquis”.
 Tropical Rainforest: Tropical rainforests are found in hot areas of South America, Africa,
Asia, and Australia. They receive continuous rainfall year-round, making them lush
habitats for insects, colorful birds, and mammals.

2. GRASSLAND

Grassland is a habitat dominated by grasses, herbaceous plants, and scattered trees. They exist in
areas with insufficient rainfall for forests but not enough for deserts. About 25% of the Earth's land

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is covered by grasslands. They occur naturally or due to human activity. Grasslands created and
maintained by human activity are called 'Anthropogenic Grasslands'. Those formed naturally are
called 'Natural Grasslands'.

The two main types of grasslands:

 Tropical or savanna grasslands: are located in semi-arid to semi-humid climate regions

of subtropical and tropical latitudes. They have hot and wet seasons, and are home to
animals such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, and lions.
 Temperate grasslands: are located in temperate regions with cold winters and warm
summer. They have moderate rainfall, and are home to animals such as bison, antelope,
prairie dogs, and coyotes.

3. TUNDRA

The tundra is a treeless land found in cold regions, mostly north of the Arctic Circle or above the
tree line on high mountains. It is characterized by large stretches of bare ground and rocks with
only patches of low vegetation. Trees cannot grow due to frigid temperatures and short growing
seasons. It has low rainfall and is the coldest of all terrestrial biomes, making it hard for most
species to survive, similar to deserts. There are three types of tundra are Arctic tundra, Antarctic
tundra and Alpine Tundra. Alpine Tundra is a high-altitude low-biodiversity biome which occurs
above the vegetation boundary or timberline in mountainous regions. What makes the Alpine
tundra unique is the fact that it occurs globally, and is not restricted to specific geographic areas
like the Arctic and Antarctic. There is no permafrost here and have relatively high biodiversity
than arctic and Antarctic tundra.

4. Desert

Desert ecosystems are dry environments with scarce vegetation, harsh temperatures, almost barren
lands and precipitation of fewer than 10 inches a year. They are formed by weathering process as
large variations in temperature between day and night put strains on the rocks, which consequently
break in pieces. The tropical hot deserts are located between 15° to 30° north and south latitudes
of the equator. The largest hot desert is the Sahara Desert. There are also other important deserts

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such as the Kalahari, Atacama, Colorado, Arabia, Thar and Australian deserts. Deserts are formed
due to their location in the trade-wind belts, on the leeward side of high mountains, in the interior
of continents, along cool ocean current. The main characteristics of desert climate are arid
environment, extreme temperature, high wind velocity, sparse cloud cover, Absence of water
vapor. There are 3 main Ethiopian deserts; Danakil depression and desert, Somali region desert,
Awash River valley desert.

5. Ice sheets

A polar icecap is a high latitude region of the earth that is covered with ice. Glaciers are like rivers
of ice because they can actually flow. They are more than 99 percent of the freshwater ice on Earth.
Ice sheets are large glaciers or masses of ice and snow that cover more than 50,000 square
kilometers. Ice sheets form when winter snow does not melt completely during the summer
months. Ice sheets once covered much of the Northern Hemisphere during a series of Pleistocene
Ice Ages. Now, Earth has just two ice sheets: one covers most of Greenland, the largest island in
the world, and the other spans across the Antarctic continent.

Ice caps are generally characterized by negative temperatures. The average temperature for each
month of the year is less than O°C. The precipitation is very low and falls in the form of snow. In
Greenland the total annual precipitation is about 80 to 100 mm. The whole of Antarctica receives
an average precipitation of less than 150 mm per year.

IMPORTANCE OF NATURAL VEGETATION

Natural vegetation plays a vital role in the ecosystem and is essential for the survival of various
species. The different types of vegetation provide numerous benefits to humans and the
environment. Forest vegetation provides a lot of timber which is used for construction purposes,
furniture and road. This also provides job opportunities for lumbermen, hunters and saw millers.

It also serves as tourist center generating foreign exchange earning to the countries where they are
located. They also provide revenue and foreign exchange to the countries where they are found.
Woods are obtained from various types of vegetation woods and are used for different purposes
such as electric pole, planks, scaffolding, firewood and constructions. Some forests produce pulp

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trees which are used for manufacturing papers and cartons. A lot of cash crops, foods crops, fruits
and seeds are derived from the vegetation which now serves as food for human. Animals are also
obtained from the wilds, which serve as sources of protein for human. In addition to that they also
give spiritual and cultural experiences to some people.

Vegetation releases oxygen and sequesters carbon and also helps in the modification of weather.
Vegetation is a key component of an ecosystem and, as such, is involved in the regulation of
various biogeochemical cycles, e.g., water, carbon, nitrogen. Vegetation converts solar energy into
biomass and forms the base of all food chains. Vegetation influences the energy balance at the
earth’s surface and within the atmospheric boundary layer, often mitigating extremes of local
climate.

Challenges of vegetation

Despite the potential opportunities, there are a number of challenges in development and
conservation of vegetation in Ethiopia. Habitat and species are being lost rapidly as a result of the
combined effects of environmental degradation, agricultural expansion, deforestation, and over
harvesting of species. This is further enhanced by human and livestock population increase thus
hastening the overall rural livelihood impoverishment and loss of the biological diversity in
Ethiopia. The decline of vegetation cover is one of the most serious challenges facing humankind
today. The forest resources in Ethiopia have been declining from time to time both in size as well
as quality. Deforestation and forest degradation, livestock and free grazing system, forest fire, an
increasing demand for wood and wood products, etc. appear to be the major challenges to forest
development and conservation in Ethiopia.

 Deforestation and forest degradation: Deforestation is the conversion of forest to an

alternative permanent non-forested land use such as agriculture, grazing or urban
development. Deforestation is a primarily concern for developing countries in the tropics
as it is shrinking areas of the tropical forests causing loss of biodiversity and enhancing the
greenhouse effect. It is estimated that in Ethiopia, 40 percent of the land area was covered
with forests at the beginning of the 19th century. But according to the 2021 data of World
Bank only 15.1% of the land is covered with forest. One of the major challenges facing
Ethiopia in its struggle for agricultural development is environmental degradation, which

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 is the process of progressive deterioration of biological (flora and fauna) and physical (soil,
water, micro-climate, etc.) resources of the land, as well as loss of biodiversity. Forest
devastation in turn has brought adverse effects on land productivity, availability of wood
products, biodiversity resources, and the tourism industry of the country.
 Livestock and free grazing system: Livestock is the integral component of the
agriculture on which 83% of the population depends. In developing countries like Ethiopia,
livestock play an important role in most small-scale farming systems. However, there are
many constraints in livestock production in Ethiopia. Livestock production in the tropics
(including Ethiopia) is mainly sustained on free grazing as a major feed source. 75%
livestock population is concentrated and grazes in the highlands. The remaining 25% graze
in the rangelands. Livestock feed sources in Ethiopia, ruminants and equines are mainly
(80-85%) natural grazing. Since animal yield is low due to genetic and managerial
problems the natural reaction of farmers has been to increase their herds. Overstocking and
overgrazing associated with poor livestock management, mainly based on the free grazing
system causes biological and physical resource degradation. Overgrazing is believed to be
the most important cause of soil degradation worldwide, sharing about 35.8% of all forms
of land degradation. Livestock can compact soil, exacerbate erosion, consume and trample
tree seeds, seedlings and browse saplings, and thereby preventing forest regeneration.
 Forest fire hazards in Ethiopia: Fires are a major tool used in clearing the forest for
shifting and permanent agriculture and for developing pastures. Fire has been a constant
companion of humans; we have used it to our own benefit and been threatened by it. This
means that fire used responsibly can be a valuable tool in agricultural and forest
management but if abused it can be a significant cause of deforestation. Forest fires have
varied causes, but the majority is due to human influences, while few are due to natural
causes such as lightening. The traditional practice of using fire as a means to prepare land
for agriculture and the enormous demographic growth intensify the impact of forest fires.
In the highlands of Ethiopia, where there is rapid population growth, fires are used as the
major tool to clear forest land and convert it to agricultural use. Smoking out wild bees in
order to gather honey is also another cause of forest fires. Both wild and deliberate fire are
frequent in some parts of the country (e.g. North Gondar, Bale, Benishangul Gumuz
Regional State) and are causing serious damages on forest genetic resources. Despite

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 inherent potential risks with fires, farmers consider it as the cheapest and most common
tool used for a variety of production activities.
 Demand for forest products: Demand for wood product is growing fast in Ethiopia
mainly due to population and economic growth. The construction sector boom, growth in
urbanization and urban population, and growing middle class is driving rapid growth in
demand for wood and other forest products. Unsustainable harvest from natural forests and
woodlands has reduced the supply of woody biomass, further widening the gap between
supply and demand. At national level, there is huge gap between demand and domestic
sustainably produced supply of wood products. This has triggered two economically
unfavorable outcomes. First, it is driving unsustainable extraction of wood from the natural
forests, and hence the degradation of forests and loss of biodiversity. Second, this forces
the country to depend heavily on imported wood products for its wood-based industries.
This in turn creates an additional challenge for a country struggling to increase its foreign
currency earnings.
 Lack of forest information data base: Lack of forest information data base is an
additional challenges to effective forest management. Ethiopia remains a difficult place to
get reliable data on the condition of forests. Indeed, estimates of how much of Ethiopia’s
vegetation cover is natural forest varies significantly..

Solutions

These and many more challenges are affecting vegetation of Ethiopia. To curb the situation, the
following measures can be taken.

 Conserving natural vegetation: Sustainable protection and management of the existing

natural vegetation needed through the collaborative effort of the government, NGO and the
local community.
 Establishing center of rehabilitation and restoration: Rehabilitating and restoring
degraded ecosystems and promoting the recovery of threatened species via scaling up best
area enclosure practices, agroforestry, afforestation and reforestation programs.
 Establish forest information data base since there are no reliable, consistent and
comprehensive statistics about forest.

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  Embracing public awareness to increase the relevance and robustness of vegetation
conservation: Conventional teaching styles and insufficient communication can play a role
in public distrust of conservation policies. For natural vegetation conservation, suitable
actions may include initiatives aimed at improving human perception and understanding
of the importance of vegetation patterns and processes in everyday life. This is the most
important conservation measure, and it needs the closest attention, because nothing can be
done without getting the support of local communities.
 Improving the effectiveness of policies, regulations and agreements that are important
for the development and conservation of vegetation resources.

Distribution of Natural Vegetation in Ethiopia

2017GC
The diverse topography of Ethiopia, ranging from soaring mountains to scorching deserts, creates
a mosaic of vegetation zones that change dramatically with altitude. There are 5 major vegetation
types with respect to altitude which are
1. Afro-alpine and sub-afro alpine Region
2. Forest Region
3. Woodland Savannah Region
4. Steppe Region
5. Semi-desert Region

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 1. Afro-alpine vegetation (4,000 – 4,620 m a.s.l)
Ethiopia has the largest extent of Afro-alpine and sub-afro-alpine habitats in Africa. The Afro-
alpine habitat covers nearly 1.3% of the total landmass of Ethiopia. Due to the high altitude,
temperatures in the Afro-alpine zone hover around freezing, even dropping below
zero at night. The annual precipitation which ranges between 800 and 1,500 mm, is mostly in the
form of sleet or snow. This, along with the intense dry-season sun, strong winds, and thin air,
restricts plant types and demands remarkable adaptations for survival: plants battle dehydration,
UV radiation, wind damage, and limited oxygen.

The Afro-alpine region features tussock grasslands, scrub, mosses, and lichens, while the Sub-afro-
alpine region is mainly woodland, sometimes degraded to scrub, and includes wet grasslands.
Dominant species include Lobelia rhynchopetalum (giberra) in the Afro-alpine region and Erica
arborea (Asta) in the Sub-afro-alpine region.
This vegetation is found in the Northern Highlands ( like the Simien Mountains, Ras Dashen),
Southern Highlands (Bale Mountains, Arsi Mountains), Gara Simien, Choke Mountains, Woina
Dega Mountains, Sidamo Highlands, and, Gamgofa Highlands.

2. Forest Region (450 to 3,500 m a.s.l)

It covers 4% of the current land area. Forests in Ethiopia are primarily found in the southern and
southwestern sections of the highlands. These areas are home to about 45,000 square kilometers
of dense forest, including coniferous forests above 1,600 meters. The forest region in Ethiopia
includes various forest types, such as moist evergreen montane rainforests in highland areas with
higher rainfall, lowland semi-evergreen forests in relatively higher rainfall lowland areas, and
small-leaved, deciduous woodlands dominated by Acacia and
Commiphora species. Additionally, dry forests are rapidly being replaced by other land uses, such
as agriculture and settlements.
Sunlight availability in the forest region of Ethiopia varies based on factors such as altitude, cloud
cover, and forest canopy density. In areas with dense forest canopies, sunlight may be limited,
leading to lower light levels reaching the forest floor. However, in open areas or gaps within the
forest, sunlight can penetrate more easily, supporting the growth of understory vegetation.
Moist evergreen montane rainforests in highland areas support a variety of tree species, while

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lowland semi-evergreen forests have a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. Acacia and
Commiphora species dominate the small-leaved, deciduous woodlands. The Harenna Forest,
located in the Bale Mountains, is known for its moist tropical forest and is home to various plant
species, including bamboo, tree heather, fig, fern pines, hagenia, and wild coffee.

3. Woodland Savannah Region (250 - 2300m a.s.l)

The Woodland Savannah region in Ethiopia is part of the larger African Savanna biome, which is
a tropical grassland ecosystem with scattered trees and shrubs. The Woodland Savannah region is
found in the Eastern and Western Ethiopian mountain massifs (a compact group of mountains). The
vegetation in the Woodland Savannah region comprises thorn scrub, mopane woodland, and dense
woodland habitats along the eastern margin. The Woodland Savannah region is characterized by
a mix of grasses, scattered trees, and shrubs, forming a light canopy. Woodland savannah region
can be broadly classified into three divisions:
The woodland savannah region can be divided into three categories:
 Juniper woodland (1,350-2,200): Juniper forests and juniper woodlands are dominated by
Juniper procera (tid) as the dominant species. The main difference lies in their height, with
forests reaching 3-45 meters tall and woodlands ranging from 10-15 meters. Has a mean
annual rainfall of 500 to 900 mm.
 Acacia woodland (250-2,300): Acacia woodlands consist of both trees and shrubs from the
Acacia genus, such as Acacia etbaica (grar) and Acacia mellifera (Konter). Have a mean
annual rainfall of 200 to 1000mm.
 Acacia woodland (250-2,300): Mixed deciduous woodlands are characterized by trees that
shed their leaves during the dry season, as indicated by the name. Has a mean annual
rainfall of 800 to 1400mm.
Savannah regions typically experience abundant sunlight. The amount of sunlight can vary
depending on the season and cloud cover. The temperature in savannah regions can vary
throughout the year. During the dry season, temperatures can be hot, often exceeding 30 degrees
Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day. In the wet season, temperatures may be slightly
cooler due to increased cloud cover and rainfall.

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 4. Steppe Region (100 to 1,400 m a.s.l)
A steppe is a dry, grassy plain that occurs in temperate climates. Steppes in Ethiopia are semi-arid,
meaning they receive 100 to 550 mm of rainfall annually. The growing period lasts up to 2 months.
The soil in this region is generally alkaline and saline. Steppe vegetation type covers considerable
parts of arid and semi-arid lowlands of Ethiopia mainly in the northwest, northeast (Afar
Depression), southeast, (Ogaden), and south border areas. In this region, xerophytic (i.e. drought-
resisting plants) are the dominant vegetation.
Xerophytic plants such as short shrubs, scattered tufts of grass species, and a variety of acacias
are some of the examples. Where there are moist soils, rich vegetation of acacia and palm trees
may be observed. Trees are normally restricted to fringes along watercourses.

5. Semi-desert Region (130m b.s.l to 600m a.s.l)

The semi-desert regions of Ethiopia experience a dry or semi-arid climate with limited rainfall.
These areas generally receive less than 300 millimeters of rainfall annually. The temperatures in
the semi-desert regions can be extremely high, especially in places like the Danakil Desert, which
is known for its scorching heat.
Xerophytic plants are also dominant in the semi-dessert region this includes thorny shrubs, acacia
trees, and other drought-tolerant plant species. The semi-desert parts of Ethiopia are located in the
northwestern and northeastern parts of the country, including the Afar, Amhara, Tigray, Oromia,
and Somali regions. The Danakil Desert is a prominent semi-desert region in Ethiopia, situated in
the Afar Triangle. It extends into southern Eritrea and northwestern Djibouti.

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 Summary

• Natural vegetation is a plant community, which grow without human aid and agriculture
practice.

• Forest, Grassland, Tundra, Desert and Ice-sheet ecosystems are types of natural vegetation.

• Forest is tree dominated vegetation. Based on their location grouped into: Boreal
forest(Taiga)Temperate forest and Tropical forest.

• Coniferous forest, Deciduous forest, Mixed forest and Mediterranean forest are types of
tropical forest with their 0wn biodiversity.

• Savanna Grassland and Temperate Grassland are main group of Grassland.

• Tundra is treeless found in cold region.

• Deserts are dry and scarce vegetation ecosystem.

• Ice-sheet is a polar region mostly found in Northern hemisphere and has negative
temperature.

• Natural vegetation mainly used for; game reserve, timber, tourism, employment, foreign
exchange and earning, wood, pulp, food supply and modification of weathering.

• Deforestation, livestock free grazing system, forest fire, increasing demand of forest
product and lack of forest information are the main cause of vegetation degradations.

• Degradation of vegetation can be reduced by: conservation, establishing center of

rehabilitation and restoration, establish forest information data base, embracing public
awareness for vegetation and improving the effectiveness of policies, regulations and
agreements.

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 Conclusion
Natural vegetation refers to plant communities that grow without human aid and remain
undisturbed by human activities. It is influenced by climate, soil, and other natural factors. There
are five major types of natural vegetation: forest, grassland, tundra, desert, and ice sheet. Forests
are dominated by trees and can be categorized based on location and biodiversity. Grasslands are
habitats dominated by grasses, herbaceous plants, and scattered trees. Tundra is a treeless land
found in cold regions, while deserts are dry environments with scarce vegetation. Ice sheets are
large masses of ice and snow.
Natural vegetation is important for various reasons, including providing timber, job opportunities,
and serving as tourist attractions. It also releases oxygen, sequesters carbon, and plays a role in
regulating biogeochemical cycles.
Challenges facing natural vegetation include deforestation, livestock grazing, forest fires, demand
for forest products, and lack of information. Solutions include conservation efforts, rehabilitation
and restoration programs, public awareness, and improved policies.
In Ethiopia, the distribution of natural vegetation is influenced by altitude. The country has afro-
alpine and sub-afro-alpine regions at high altitudes, forest regions at mid-altitudes, woodland
savannah regions, steppe regions, and semi-desert regions. Each region has distinct vegetation
types adapted to the specific environmental conditions.
Overall, natural vegetation is crucial for the ecosystem and human well-being, but it faces
challenges that require conservation and sustainable management efforts.

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 References

1. Asefa, M., Cao, M., He, Y., Mekonnen, E., Song, X., & Yang, J. (2020). Ethiopian
vegetation types, climate, and topography. Plant Diversity, 42(4), 302-311.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2020.04.004
2. Danakil Desert. (2024, January 2). In Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danakil_Desert
3. https://elearn.moe.gov.et
4. https://www.treehugger.com
5. www.felsics.com
6. www.worldatlas.com
7. www.treehugger.com
8. https://byjus.com
9. Grade 11 Geography text book
10. Melkie Achenef Abate, August 17, 2020, Review of Opportunities, Challenges and
Future Directions of ForestryDevelopment and Conservation in Ethiopia, Department
of Forestry, Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia

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