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Development in an African Context

Soils, relief, climate and water availability

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 3 Section B

Overview

Laterite and why does it matter for farming, soils of the Kalahari and their effect on Botswana's agriculture and climatic conditions that cocoa requires.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why are many tropical African soils naturally infertile?

Key term

What is laterite and why does it matter for farming?

Key term

Describe the soils of the Kalahari and their effect on Botswana's agriculture.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Why are many tropical African soils naturally infertile?

    Model answer

    Heavy rainfall leaches soluble nutrients down through the profile beyond the reach of roots. High temperatures also break organic matter down quickly, so humus does not accumulate.

  2. 2

    What is laterite and why does it matter for farming?

    Model answer

    Laterite is a hard iron- and aluminium-rich crust that forms when tropical soils dry out. The crust resists ploughing and blocks root penetration.

  3. 3

    Describe the soils of the Kalahari and their effect on Botswana's agriculture.

    Model answer

    Kalahari sands are deep and coarse and hold very little water or nutrient. Arable farming is therefore marginal, and most of rural Botswana depends on cattle.

  4. 4

    How do the soils of Ghana's forest zone support cocoa?

    Model answer

    Forest ochrosols in southern Ghana are deep, free-draining and enriched by leaf litter. The nutrient store built up under forest is what the first cocoa crop draws on.

  5. 5

    State the climatic conditions that cocoa requires.

    Model answer

    Cocoa needs 1,200 to 2,000 mm of well-distributed rainfall and temperatures between about 21 °C and 32 °C. Young trees also need shade and shelter from strong wind.

  6. 6

    Contrast the rainfall of southern and northern Ghana.

    Model answer

    The south-west around Axim receives over 2,000 mm a year in two rainy seasons. The far north receives around 1,000 mm in a single season followed by the dry Harmattan.

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