Man: resettlement and impact on the nature of Africa. The main environmental problems of Africa Presentation of human impact on the nature of Africa

HUMAN: SETTLEMENT AND IMPACT ON THE NATURE OF AFRICA

(see the map of the physical-geographical zoning of Africa with links to photographs of the nature of this region)

Africa is considered the most likely ancestral home modern man (Fig. 23).

Rice. 23. Centers of human development and ways of its settlement in globe (according to V.P. Alekseev): 1 - the ancestral home of mankind and resettlement from it; 2 - primary western focus of race formation and settlement of proto-Australoids; 3 - settlement of proto-Caucasians; 4 - resettlement of proto-Negroids; 5 - primary eastern focus of race formation and settlement of proto-Americanoids; 6 - North American tertiary focus and settlement from it; 7 - Central South American focus and resettlement from it.

Many features of the nature of the continent speak in favor of this position. African great apes - especially chimpanzees - have, compared with other anthropoids, the greatest number of biological traits in common with modern man. In Africa, fossil remains of several forms of great apes of the family pongid(Pongidae), similar to modern great apes. In addition, fossil forms of anthropoids have been discovered - Australopithecus, usually included in the family of hominids.

Remains australopithecines found in the Villafra deposits of South and East Africa, i.e., in those strata that most researchers attribute to the Quaternary period (Eopleistocene). In the east of the mainland, along with the bones of Australopithecus, stones were found with traces of rough artificial chipping.

Many anthropologists consider Australopithecus as a stage of human evolution, preceding the appearance of the most ancient people. However, the discovery by R. Leakey in 1960 of the Olduvai locality made significant changes to the solution of this problem. In the natural section of the Olduvai Gorge, located in the southeast of the Serengeti Plateau, near the famous Ngorongoro Crater (northern Tanzania), remains of primates close to Australopithecus were found in the thickness of volcanic rocks of Villafranchian age. They got the name Zinjanthropes. Below and above the Zinjanthropes, the skeletal remains of a prezinjanthropus, or Homo habilis (Handy Man), were found. Together with the presinjanthropus, primitive stone products were found - roughly upholstered pebbles. In the overlying layers of the Olduvai locality, the remains of African archanthropes, and on the same level with them - Australopithecus. The mutual position of the remains of prezinjanthropus and zinjantrops (australopithecus) suggests that the australopithecines, previously considered the direct ancestors of the most ancient people, actually formed a non-progressive branch of hominids that existed for a long time between Villafranchian and the middle Pleistocene. This thread is over dead end.

Simultaneously with it, and even a little earlier, there was a progressive form - presinjanthropus, which is possibly direct and immediate ancestor of the most ancient people. If this is so, then the opinion is correct that the homeland of the prezinjanthropus - the region of the continental rifts of East Africa - can be considered the ancestral home of man.

R. Leakey discovered in the vicinity of Lake Rudolf (Turkana) the remains of human ancestors, whose age is 2.7 Ma. In recent years, there have been reports of finds that are even older.

The remains of archanthropes, in addition to Olduvai, were found in northern Africa, in Algeria. The local name for the North African archanthropes is atlanthropes.

Modern man(Homo sapiens) appeared on the territory of Africa during the last, Gembla pluvial, which corresponded approximately to the end of the last glaciation of the northern regions of the Earth.

Fossil remains of a modern type of man, found in different parts of the mainland, show significant racial differences. Obviously, the main races that exist in Africa at the present time were outlined already in the era of the late (upper) Paleolithic. Further differentiation of races continued during the Neolithic. In North Africa, judging by the bone remains, there was an ancient caucasoid type, in South Africa - the so-called Boscopian type, the ancestor of modern Bushmen and Hottentots. In the west south of the Sahara, the Negroid(Negro) type. During the Neolithic, apparently formed Ethiopian contact race, and in the equatorial forests of the Congo basin a race African pygmies (negrillian).

Modern indigenous population North Africa, including almost the entire Sahara, consists of representatives of the southern Caucasoid (Mediterranean) race, which is more ancient in time than the formation of a branch of the large Caucasoid race.

Anthropologically, the Caucasoid population of the countries of North Africa is distinguished by a large homogeneity. It is characterized by dark skin, dark hair and eyes, a dolicho- or mesocephalic skull, an average height of about 170 cm. There are deviations from this type: more bright skin, blond hair and blue eyes, which may be the result of local depigmentation in mountainous areas with a more severe climate. To the southern Caucasoid race belongs the ancient Berber population North Africa and the majority of the modern population of the North African countries, historically formed as a result of the invasion of the Arabs and the Arabization of the indigenous Berber population. Most of the mainland south of the Sahara, with the exception of the areas adjacent to the Red Sea and the Somali Peninsula, is inhabited by peoples belonging to the African branch of the great equatorial race. It contains three races of the second order: actually Negro (Negroid), Negril and Bushmen (Koisan).

Features proper negro race especially pronounced in the population of the Niger and Congo basins. These peoples have very dark skin, curly hair, pronounced prognathism, wide nose with low nose bridge, swollen lips, dolicho- and mesocephalic head. In other areas, Negroids have deviations from these classically expressed features. For example, in Southeast Africa, some peoples have a lighter skin color, while the peoples of the upper Nile and Senegal, on the contrary, have almost black skin; prognathism is expressed to varying degrees in different peoples. There are very big differences in height. Especially high growth among the inhabitants of the Nile basin.

On the border of the ranges of the southern Caucasoids and Negroids, contact racial groups formed already in the early Neolithic. It - Ethiopian race, to which the peoples of Ethiopia, Somalia and neighboring regions belong. The representatives of the Ethiopian race expressed almost all characteristics Negroids, but as if in a softened form. Their skin is brown, but lighter than that of the most light-colored Negroes, their hair is curly and even curly, but to a lesser extent than that of Negroids, their lips are full, but not swollen, there is no prognathism, the nose is narrow, with a protruding nose bridge, a narrow tall face . In Western Sudan, on the border between the ranges of Caucasians and Negroids, transitional forms also developed with a combination of anthropological features of both of these races.

A special place within the African branch of the equatorial race is occupied by pygmies (negrillies). They are settled in small groups in the equatorial forests of the Congo Basin. Their average height is 141-142 cm, the maximum is 150 cm. The skin color is generally lighter than that of typical Negroids, curly hair, a wide nose, with a low nose, a wide mouth with thin lips, facial hair is more abundant than that of tall negroids. The fact that the Pygmies, on the one hand, have features that bring them closer to the Negroes, and, on the other hand, significant differences from the latter, suggests that these races had a common ancestor. Anthropological features of the pygmies developed, probably in the Neolithic under the influence of a specific natural environment equatorial forests, within which they still live.

Groups live in southwestern Africa Bushmen and Hottentots, combined according to some common anthropological features into one Khoisan or South African, race, or racial group. This race also has features in common with other dark-skinned Africans (broad nose and curly hair); some signs bring her closer to representatives of the Mongoloid race (relatively light, yellowish-brown skin color and epicanthus); other signs are specific to the Khoisan race: accumulation of fat in the buttocks (steatopygia), severe wrinkling of the skin. The features of anthropological similarity with the Negroes are explained by the fact that at the early stages of development all the races of the African branch had a common ancestor. Mongoloid features do not depend on the connection with the Mongoloids, which, obviously, never existed, and could not exist, but on similar environmental conditions in which these races were formed. Arid spaces of the hinterland South Africa somewhat similar to the districts Central Asia. This similarity, for example, explains the presence of epicanthus in the Bushmen, which is considered a characteristic feature of the Mongoloids.

The movement of peoples across the Earth, which took place from ancient times and intensified in the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, during the colonization of Africa by Europeans, led to further confusion races and the formation of mixed anthropological types. The invasion of the Arabs into Africa, their penetration not only to the north, but also to the south, deep into the mainland, into the very thick of the Negroid peoples, led to the formation mixed types population of South Sudan, very close in anthropological features to the Ethiopian contact race.

As a result of the mixing of races in the Middle Ages, a population was also formed Madagascar. It was formed, obviously, as a result of contacts between the Negroids and the southern Mongoloids (Indonesians) who penetrated the island.

Currently lives in Africa about 800 million people. The distribution of this population across the mainland is extremely uneven. Huge areas are almost completely uninhabited, many are very sparsely populated. For example, in the Sahara, Kalahari, Namib Desert population density 1 person per 1 km 2. The population of the tropical forests of the Congo Basin and many mountainous regions of East Africa is very low. The population density of the northern, southwestern and southeastern coasts of the mainland and the coast of the Gulf of Guinea is much higher. The Nile Valley in Egypt stands out in particular - it is one of the most densely populated territories not only in Africa, but throughout the world. The population density there exceeds 200 people, and in some places it reaches 1000 people per 1 km 2. In some areas of Africa, the uplands and mountainous regions are more densely populated than the lowlands, which have less favorable conditions for the life and activities of people. About 40% of the total population of the continent lives at an altitude of more than 500 m above sea level.

A big problem for Africa is natural focal diseases like malaria, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, yellow fever, schistosomiasis, etc. Many of them are associated with the habitats of vectors (mosquitoes, tsetse flies, mollusks). In recent decades, in many African countries, especially south of the equator, AIDS has become widespread. In 2001, a pandemic in Africa HIV infections and AIDS claimed lives 2.3 million people. The continent has the highest rate of HIV infection and the highest proportion of people living with HIV and AIDS. In 2001, there were 28.1 million people living with HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, which is 70 % of the total registered worldwide. Over the past 20 years, this disease has greatly affected the average life expectancy in the region, and in countries such as Botswana and Malawi, it no longer exceeds 40 years. It is now officially considered that in Botswana 35% of the adult population is HIV-infected. Every year the number of HIV carriers and AIDS patients is steadily growing. Tribal traditions play a big role in this, encouraging early onset of sexual activity, as well as the orientation of some developing countries towards the mining industry - mining villages with many dormitories are emerging around the mines, dominated by workers cut off from families. In the countries of North Africa, this problem is not so acute.

Africa is dominated by rural population, the countries of this continent are the least urbanized compared to other regions of the world. Agriculture is dominated by plantation or slash-and-burn agriculture and pastoralism, often combined with a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle. The long years of colonialism left an indelible mark on the distribution of the population, ways of farming and the nature of the use of natural resources.

sharply reflected on the state of the natural environment African countries also have socio-demographic processes of recent decades: high rates of population reproduction, this is associated with the expansion of cultivated areas and pastures, excessive and not always rational use of natural resources, urban growth. All this, taken together, has led to the fact that at present, relatively few areas of Africa have retained their pristine nature. Changes in the composition of forests under the influence of deforestation and burning, or even displacement of forests by anthropogenic savannahs, desertification of savannahs in the zones bordering deserts, the spread of introduced plants and animals of other continents, and the extermination of local species - all these results of human activity have become widespread not only in the most developed and populated the outskirts of the mainland, but also in its hinterland. In 1990-1995 the rate of deforestation in Africa was 0.7% per year. For 15 years (from 1980 to 1995) the area of ​​African forests has decreased by 66 million hectares. The highest rate of deforestation is in southern West Africa.

Over the past 100 years, Africa has worsened state of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Rapid population growth, intensification Agriculture, urbanization and industrial growth have exacerbated environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources. Some of the most pressing environmental problems include loss of soil fertility, accelerated erosion, deforestation, biodiversity decline, increased water scarcity, and deteriorating water and air quality (Figure 110).

TOPIC . Human influence on African nature. Reserves and national parks of Africa.

The purpose of the lesson : to establish the main causes that influenced the change in the nature of Africa and the consequences to which they led; find ways to solve environmental problems; continue shaping cognitive activity students, the ability to work independently with different sources information individually and in a group, gain knowledge, work with a map, analyze, draw conclusions;

Equipment: physical and political map Africa, presentation, atlases, video film “Serengeti - African Reserve”, student reports on environmental problems and ways to solve them.

Preparatory stage.

The class is divided into groups in advance and studies the material on a specific problem.

In each group, the guys must solve the following tasks:

1) Find and study information on this issue.

2) Establish causes and consequences.

3) Tell about ongoing activities in African countries and offer your own ways out of the current situation. environmental situation.

During the classes

Ι. Organizing time.

The teacher introduces the class to the goals and objectives of the lesson.

Teacher. Today we will talk with you about the problems that are associated with human intervention in the nature of Africa as a result of his economic activities. We will need to establish the causes of the current environmental problems on the African continent and find ways to solve them. In the lesson, we will listen to prepared presentations from each group on one environmental issue. During each presentation on the issue, you will need to establish causal relationships and display them as a diagram in your workbook.

ΙΙ. Learning new material.

Teacher: The nature of Africa is amazing and diverse, but today it is experiencing, like the nature of other continents, environmental problems global character. Back in the 19th century, Africa was represented as a continent of virgin nature. Particularly great damage was inflicted on the nature of Africa by European colonialists.

1st problem. "Area reduction rainforest Africa"

Teacher: The children of the first group will speak on this problem.

Researchers : our group, using various sources of information, studied this problem in detail and came to the conclusion that a lot of forests have been destroyed in Africa over the past decades. In the course of our work, the main reasons for the reduction in forest area were identified. The reasons are as follows:

1) Clearing forest areas for various economic needs of the population, and, above all, for slash-and-burn agriculture. Every African family clears new land under arable land, on average, from 0.5 ha to 1 ha, while destroying forests. For this reason, ¾ of the forest area was reduced.

Every year, 3 million hectares of forest are burned for crops. In the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire in western Africa, slash-and-burn agriculture last decade led to a reduction in forest cover by a third. Not the best situation in neighboring countries - Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cameroon, Nigeria.

2) The use of wood as fuel by the population.

Wood is being used as fuel by peasants all over Africa, who cannot afford the more expensive kerosene and gas, and are forced to cut down more trees, devastating the area.

around the villages. In the countries of the Sahel, the region separating the Sahara from the savannahs of West Africa, more than 14 million tons are annually burned for cooking and heating a home. wood and charcoal. In Ethiopia, 95% of energy needs are met by forests. Peasant women dragging a bundle of firewood on their backs for a family hearth for 10-15 km is one of the most frequent pictures on African roads.

3 ) Increasing timber exportsin the developed countries world due to commercial agreements between the developed capitalist countries of the West and the developing African countries, which provide for the export to the countries Western Europe untreated wood. Over the past 100 years, since active logging, the country of the Congo has almost completely deforested the coast Atlantic Ocean. Grow here, which are in great demand on the world market, valuable species of trees: okume, akazhu, sapeli. With modern

intensive exploitation of the area, in which French, Swiss, Algerian, Libyan firms take part, it will last for several decades.

Ecologists : 1) The area of ​​African forests has almost halved in 200 years. This led to the disappearance or reduction rare species animals and plants.

2) Don't forget that rainforests- This is the main "factory for the production of oxygen." About a third of the oxygen contained in the atmosphere is produced here, which means that its amount will decrease throughout the planet;

3) Wet equatorial forests clean the atmosphere of pollutants, reduce the amount carbon dioxide. But today, as a result of deforestation, the amount of carbon dioxide increases, which leads to a “greenhouse effect”, which means climate warming on the entire planet, which in turn causes the melting of glaciers and leads to an increase in water levels in the oceans.

4) The destruction of the vegetation cover leads to a violation of the seasonal cycle of rains, the drying up of rivers.

5) Hylaea holds and preserves poor and unstable soils. With the reduction of forests, the soil will completely collapse, turning into a desert.

Exercise.

Reducing the area of ​​tropical forests. Scheme No. 1.

Slash-and-burn agriculture Wood as fuel Wood export

Extinction and reduction of rare species

Animals and plants of the rainforest

Reducing the amount of oxygen

And an increase in carbon dioxide.

« Greenhouse effect”, climate warming on Earth.

Melting glaciers and rising sea levels.

2nd problem. "Soil Deflation"

Teacher : the guys of the second group will tell us about the second problem.

Researchers : our group worked on the problem - soil deflation, i.e. blowing out the fertile soil layer. This phenomenon is often observed in the Sahel zone and in the savannas, which are located in the tropical and subequatorial climatic zones.

We have established the main causes of soil blowing:

1) Destruction of savanna vegetation for slash-and-burn agriculture;

2) Intensive grazing in countries with arid climates;

3) The proximity of the desert also speeds up the blowing process, as there are often strong winds Samum, developing speeds up to 50 km per hour.

Ecologists : having studied this problem, we saw the consequences of the destruction of the grassy cover of the savannas as a result of slash-and-burn agriculture, intensive grazing in countries with arid climates - Chad, Mali, Sudan, Niger. This consequence is the ever-increasing deflation of soils on the mainland.

Exercise. Make a diagram of cause-and-effect relationships for this problem.

Soil deflation. Scheme 2.

Slash-and-burn agriculture Intensive grazing

Vegetation destruction

Soil destruction

Soil deflation

3rd problem. "Desert Offensive"

Teacher: on the third problem, the guys of the third group will speak.

Researchers : the African countries are facing the problem of the onset of the desert. Over the centuries, due to mismanagement, the savannas began to give way to deserts. In the last half century alone, the area of ​​the Sahara has increased by 650,000 km2. It may happen that almost all of Africa will turn into a desert. Their area is increasing more and more, and they are getting closer to the equator. We have studied and established the reasons for this offensive:

1) Africa is the hottest and driest continent, which is characterized by a continental and dry climate. There are often droughts here. 44% of the mainland is subject to drought, which leads to soil deflation.

2) Deforestation, intensive grazing, destruction of the grassy cover of savannahs, also increase soil deflation and erosion. All this leads to the formation of mobile sands and an increase in the area of ​​deserts.

You see that all the problems that we have considered are the causes of the onset of the desert. This suggests that everything in nature is interconnected.

Exercise. Make a diagram of cause-and-effect relationships for this problem.

Desert advance. Scheme number 3.

Continental climate Slash-and-burn agriculture Deforestation

Formation of moving sands

An increase in the area of ​​deserts

4th problem. "The Destruction of the Animals of Africa"

Teacher: The children of the fourth group will tell us about this problem.

Researchers: Africa is the land of deserts and savannahs, where both man and animals live according to the laws of nature. African animals are diverse and amazing. The mainland has a rich and diverse fauna, 1 thousand species of mammals and 1.5 thousand species of birds live here.

Savannahs and light forests occupy more than 40% of the mainland, therefore, the main part of the fauna is made up of those animals that live there: rhinos, gazelles, buffaloes, elephants, cheetahs, jackals. Deserts occupy vast expanses of the continent, but at the same time, the difference in fauna between north and south is quite noticeable. The northern deserts are very similar to the deserts of Asia: a large number of jerboas, gerbils, jackals and hyenas. Southern deserts, in turn, are characterized by a large number of endemics and turtles. Moist equatorial forests do not shine with a variety of wildlife, but, nevertheless, they can be found: gorilla, hippopotamus, okapi, monkeys, chimpanzees and crocodiles.

Ecologists: The African fauna, peculiar and one of the richest faunas of the Earth, has been greatly damaged by human activities:

1) Long years European colonialism;

2) The population satisfies its need for meat food by 80% by hunting animals;

3) In the budget of a number of countries big role plays trade in ivory, leather or animal skins.

All this cannot but lead to the impoverishment of the fauna. In the old days, everywhere, as far as the eye could see, you could see huge herds of grazing animals. Now the largest herds are concentrated in national parks, mainly in the Serengeti - Tanzania, Tsavo - Kenya. For the sake of sporting interest, during the hunt, elephants were killed because of the tusks, so their number has sharply decreased, and the number of rhinos, gorillas and other animals has also significantly decreased. Quagga zebras were completely destroyed - bags were made from their skins. At the same time, in a number of African countries, great attention is paid to the protection of fauna, and many species only thanks to this have avoided complete destruction. However, the vast and diverse biological heritage in all sub-regions of Africa is under threat. Civil wars and armed conflicts sometimes cause irreparable damage to the biodiversity of the mainland. Thus, in 2002, 289 species of mammals, 207 species of birds, 127 species of fish, 48 species of reptiles and 17 species of amphibians were endangered.

5th problem. "Construction of the Aswan Dam on the Nile River"

Teacher: the floor is given to the children of the fifth group.

Researchers: through Africa flows the most long river in the world - the Nile. The Nile Valley is very fertile, the peasants are here all year round are engaged in agriculture. In 1964, on the Nile River, with the assistance of the USSR, the Aswan dam, a hydroelectric power station, and a reservoir were built. The high-altitude dam saved Egypt from the devastating Nile floods, as well as Egypt was saved from droughts, which are frequent here. Water from the reservoir was used not only for irrigating fields, but also for breeding fish. Every year 35-40 thousand tons are caught here. fish. All villages and industrial enterprises were electrified.

Ecologists : I would like to note that the construction of the Aswan Dam

had not only positive side but also negative consequences:

1) The Nile annually brought a fertile layer of silt to the fields during floods.

After the construction of the dam, silt began to settle in the reservoir, soil fertility deteriorated.

2) The destruction of the banks near the northern part of the river delta has intensified.

3) The fish migration of sardines has decreased due to the barrier - dams.

Exercise. Guys, draw a diagram of cause-and-effect relationships on this problem.

Teacher: guys, today we heard with you the problems that the inhabitants of African countries have faced, but which concern every person on our planet, since they are global. During the lesson, you all made diagrams of cause-and-effect relationships that can be used to judge the consequences of human intervention in the nature of Africa. This means that you can identify ways to improve the current situation on this continent. Guys, suggest your measures to solve environmental problems.

The guys come up with their proposals for solving environmental problems on the African continent.

Let's listen to the message.

In many African countries, the protection of wild animals and interesting natural complexes(forests, savannas) attached great importance:

1) Afforestation was carried out (1973 - 1993). In Algeria, a grandiose project was created - to grow a green wall of 7 billion trees on the path of the Sahara. The forest protection belt stretches for 1500 km, 20 km wide. On the way the desert is planted different trees: date palm, which grows at temperatures from + 50 to - 14º C, which grows on any soil; heat-loving acacia, evergreen hard-leaved Australian eucalyptus.

2) Africans love their nature, treat it with care, try to preserve its uniqueness and uniqueness. To this end, nature reserves and national parks have been created in Africa to preserve and protect the animals and plants of the mainland. In Ethiopia - Simen in the mountains, in Tanzania- Serengeti, in Kenya - Tsavo, in South Africa - Kruger, etc.

Reserves and national parks on the mainland occupy large areas, them total- about 400. (Message).

3) In the Republic of Mali since 1986. the Law of the Forest is in force: “Citizens who burn the forest - imprisonment up to 2 years or a large fine.”

3) In the Republic of Niger, a holiday is held annually - Tree Day, on this day everyone plant trees.

4) The UN adopted the document "Stop the advance of the desert."

The problem of the onset of the desert remains today still open. It is necessary for the government of all African countries to hold a joint conference, where they will consider the reasons for the onset of the desert on the continent and take more radical measures to solve it. Only together can all the countries of Africa solve this problem. global problem humanity.

Summary of the lesson.

Teacher: Guys, we have established that the nature of Africa suffers from the fact that a person does not reasonably use its wealth and does not always farm correctly. But Africa, the mainland of the Earth, which is also subjected to most natural Disasters.

Our lesson has come to an end. I hope that today you received a lot of useful information about the current environmental situation in African countries and made the right conclusion - “Nature is our common Home and the fact that everything in nature is interconnected. The problem of nature protection throughout the world is considered the most important after the preservation of peace on Earth. Any natural complex is a fragile ecosystem of the planet. Human intervention must be very thoughtful and limited. Let's take care of nature, protect everything that she gave us.

Grading active guys

Homework. § 21, questions 4-8, repeat the African nomenclature.

Thank you for your work.

Additional material.

Messages about the reserves and the national parks of Africa.

The creation of national parks is the main condition for the conservation of protected areas, where nature remains untouched by man - its animal world. African national parks, the importance of which can hardly be overestimated, are now visited not only by foreign tourists, but also by Africans themselves, especially schoolchildren and students. National parks preserve nature, serve as natural research laboratories for important observations.

1. Kruger.

The very first reserve in Africa, founded in 1898 by Transval President Paulus Kruger, located in the northeast of South Africa.Until 1926 bore the name Sabi - Game, then was transformed into national park, and was given the name of the creator, Paulus Kruger. It has a length from north to south - 345 km, and from west to east - 54 km. Its area (20 thousand km²) The territory of the park is crossed by several relatively major rivers flowing from west to east.

The flora is represented by 1968 species of plants, of which 457 species of trees and shrubs, 235 - cereals, 27 - ferns, 16 - lianas, 1213 - herbs and flowers. More than 800 species of animals are represented in the national park: 147 species of mammals, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 49 fish, 507 fish. As of 2009, there are 9,000 impala antelopes in the national park, 27,000 African buffaloes,9600 - blue wildebeest,5400 - white rhinos, 2500 - spotted hyenas, 300 - Kanna (the largest in the world) 200 - cheetahs.

Within the territory of national park in recent times the restoration of the population of such animals as the black and white rhinoceros, the giant elephant begins.

2.Serenghetti ( video film "Serengeti - a reserve of Africa"

The Serengeti National Park was founded in 1951, it is one of the largest in Africa, is world famous, is located in East Africa, on the border of Tanzania and Kenya. About 30 species of animals live here, including the "big five": elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetahs, buffaloes.The national park has played an important role in the conservation of elephants; in recent years, their numbers have increased dramatically. Some of the elephants are being exported today.

In 2005, the largest flock of lions in the world was discovered on the territory of the Serengeti Park, or, as scientists call it, LION'pride, it consists of 41 lions.

The Serengeti savannas scorched by the sun remember the "great white hunters": Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernst Hemingway, who loved to have fun on safari.

The influence of man on nature. Back in the 19th century Africa was presented as a continent of virgin nature. However, even then the nature of Africa was significantly changed by man. The area of ​​forests, which have been uprooted and burned for arable land and pastures for centuries, has decreased. Particularly great damage to the nature of Africa was caused by European colonialists. Hunting, carried out for profit, and often for sport, led to the mass extermination of animals.

Many animals are completely destroyed (for example, some species of antelopes, zebras), while the number of others (elephants, rhinos, gorillas, etc.) has been greatly reduced. Europeans exported expensive timber to their countries. Therefore, in a number of states (Nigeria, etc.) there was a danger complete disappearance forests. Territories on the site of reduced forests were occupied by plantations of cocoa, oil palm, peanuts, etc. So, on the site of the equatorial and variable-moist forests savannahs formed (Fig. 59). Significantly changed the nature and primary savannas. There are huge areas of plowed land and pastures.

Due to mismanagement of agriculture (burning, overgrazing, and cutting down trees and shrubs), savannas have given way to deserts for many centuries. In the last half century alone, the Sahara has moved significantly southward and increased its area by 650,000 km 2 . The loss of agricultural land leads to the death of livestock and crops, to starvation of people.

To save the savannas from the onset of deserts, a wide forest strip in the Sahara 1500 km long is being created, which will shield agricultural territories from the dry winds of the desert. There are several projects for watering the Sahara. Great changes in natural complexes occurred in connection with the development of minerals and the development of industry.

Rice. 59. The boundaries of the natural zones of Africa: A - in the past, B - modern. Using the maps, determine how the area of ​​​​each natural zone of Africa changes. Which areas have been hit the hardest?

Natural disasters. Natural natural phenomena(earthquakes, droughts, floods, hurricanes, etc.) can bring great disasters to the population. One of Africa's most devastating natural disasters is recurrent droughts. This especially affects the population of the savannas adjacent to the Sahara. Droughts kill people, livestock and other living organisms. The reason for the aggravation of droughts is the felling of shrubs, trees, as well as overgrazing.

Some countries suffer disasters from floods, plant diseases, locust invasions, which in a few hours can destroy the entire crop of fields or plantations.

Reserves and national parks. At present, humanity is becoming more and more aware of the need to protect nature on Earth. To this end, reserves are organized on all continents (territories where natural state natural complexes) and national parks. In the reserves it is allowed to be only people leading research work. National parks, unlike nature reserves, can be visited by tourists who are required to follow the rules established there. In many African countries, the protection of wild animals and the most interesting natural complexes (forests, savannahs, volcanic regions, etc.) is of great importance. Reserves and national parks on the mainland cover large areas. There are especially many of them in South and East Africa. A number of them are world famous, for example, the Serengeti and Kruger national parks. Thanks to the measures taken, the number of many animals has now been restored.

1. Why is it important to know the geographic location of the continent? What are the features geographical location Africa?
2. Name the explorers of Africa and indicate what is the role of each of them in the study of the mainland.
3. Why is Africa dominated by plains?
4. What are the features of nature (relief, climate, rivers, natural areas) of Africa?
5. Why is latitudinal zonality well traced in Africa? In what way does it manifest itself?
6. Based on the analysis of maps, indicate what relationship exists between climatic regions and natural areas.
7. On the map of Africa, find reserves and national parks, indicate in which natural zones they are located and what are the names of the largest of them.
8. What actions do you think should be taken in Africa to reduce natural disasters caused by droughts?
9. What changes have occurred in the nature of Africa in connection with economic activity human?

6. human influence on nature. reserves and parks back in the 19th century. Africa was presented as a continent of virgin nature. however, even then the nature of Africa was significantly changed by man. the area of ​​forests, which for centuries have been uprooted and burned out for arable land and pastures, has decreased. especially great damage to the nature of Africa was caused by European colonialists. hunting, carried out for profit, and often for sporting interest, to the mass extermination of animals. many animals are completely destroyed (for example, some species of antelopes, zebras), and the number of others (elephants, rhinos, gorillas, etc.) has greatly decreased. Europeans exported expensive timber to their countries. Therefore, in a number of states (Nigeria, etc.) there is a danger of complete disappearance of forests. territories on the site of reduced forests were occupied by plantations of cocoa, oil palm, peanuts, etc. so savannahs formed on the site of equatorial and variable-humid forests. significantly changed the nature and primary savannas. there are huge areas of plowed land and pastures. due to improper agricultural practices (burning, overgrazing, and cutting down trees and shrubs), savannahs give way to deserts for many centuries. in the last half century alone, sugar has significantly moved south and increased its area by 650 thousand km2. The loss of agricultural land leads to the death of livestock and crops, to starvation of people. to save the savannahs from the onset of deserts, a wide forest belt in the Sahara, 1500 km long, is being created, which will shield the agricultural territories from the dry winds of the desert. There are several projects for flooding the Sahara. great changes in natural complexes occurred in connection with the development of minerals and the development of industry. natural disasters (earthquakes, droughts, floods, hurricanes, etc.) can bring enormous disasters to the population. one of Africa's most devastating natural disasters is recurrent droughts. this especially affects the population of the savannas adjacent to the Sahara. droughts kill people, livestock and other living organisms. droughts are exacerbated by cutting down bushes, trees, and overgrazing. some countries suffer disasters from floods, plant diseases, locust invasions, which in a few hours can destroy the entire crop of fields or plantations. At present, humanity is increasingly understanding the need to protect nature on earth. to this end, nature reserves (territories where natural complexes are preserved in their natural state) and national parks are organized on all continents. only people conducting research work are allowed to be in the reserves. National parks, unlike nature reserves, can be visited by tourists who are required to follow the rules established there. In many African countries, the protection of wild animals and the most interesting natural complexes (forests, savannahs, volcanic regions, etc.) is of great importance. reserves and national parks on the mainland cover large areas. especially a lot of them in the southern and East Africa. a number of them are world famous, for example, the Serengeti and Kruger national parks. With the measures taken, the number of many animals has now been restored.

Sections: Geography

Target: Give an idea of ​​the impact of man on nature, characterize natural disasters, nature reserves and national parks.

Equipment: physical map Africa, tables depicting the most famous reserves of Africa, illustrations depicting the protected and protected areas of the mainland, atlases, additional messages, the video film “Serengeti - the reserve of Africa”, student reports on environmental problems and ways to solve them.

During the classes

I. Organizing time.

II. Repetition of previously learned material.

1. Poll homework(Front survey)

a) what natural areas stand out on the mainland? List and show on the map.

b) what are the features of the location of the natural zones of Africa?

c) what is the relationship between climatic zones and natural zones?

d) name the essential features of the zones of equatorial forests, savannahs, tropical deserts.

2. Individual written survey of students - according to the answer form.

Write the name of natural areas on the board:

a) equatorial forests;

b) savannah;

c) tropical deserts.

Students answer the questions with an X and mark the correct answer.

1. Occupies almost a third of the mainland, especially in the northern part (1c)

2. Located along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea and near the equator (a)

3. Occupies almost 40% of the mainland area (b)

4. Precipitation for almost a year, especially after 12 noon (at)

5. Dry and wet seasons stand out (b)

6. Sometimes it doesn't rain for years (c)

7. Soils are practically absent (c)

8. Soils are red-yellow, ferralitic (b)

9. Red-brown soils rich in humus (b)

10. Forest vegetation is arranged in tiers (a)

11. Vegetation is concentrated in oases (c)

12. Herbs predominate and rarely standing trees(b)

13. Most valuable plant- date palm (c)

14. Lots of trees with valuable timber(a)

15. The most common trees are baobab and umbrella acacia (b)

16. habitats of a camel, velvichia, fennec fox (c)

17. The richest and most diverse animal world on Earth (b)

18. Monkeys, leopards, okapi - the inhabitants of this zone (a)

(Guess what each word means)

3. Learning new material.

1. The influence of man on nature.

(Studying the topic on supporting notes and logical chains).

XIX century -> change in the nature of Africa -> reduction of S forests (uprooting and burning under arable land and pastures)

plant diseases,

locust invasions

(textbook - p. 130, figure 59)

3. Reserves and national parks.

Reserves are territories where natural complexes are preserved in their natural state.

National parks - they can be visited by tourists who are required to comply with the rules established there.

There are especially many reserves and national parks in South and East Africa.

The most famous reserves of natural areas.

Watching the video "Serengeti".

Additional message.

1. The creation of national parks is the main condition for the conservation of protected areas, where nature remains untouched by man - its wildlife. African national parks, the importance of which can hardly be overestimated, are now visited not only by foreign tourists, but also by Africans themselves, especially schoolchildren and students. National parks preserve nature, serve as natural research laboratories for important observations.

Animals in such parks have forgotten what a shot is, and you can drive very close to an elephant, a giraffe, an antelope, a lion by car - they trustfully look at a person, and this serves as the best propaganda for nature conservation and the need to create national parks.

Millions of tourists flock to protected areas and, after spending at least a few hours among gullible animals, leave as friends and protectors for life.

Thanks to the work of two famous zoologists - the father and son of Grizhmenov, the Serengeti National Park is especially attractive to people.

2. Kruger National Park.

Kruger National Park is located in the northeast Republic of South Africa in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpulanga. In the north of the river Limpopo separates it from Zimbabwe, in the east the state border - from Mozambique.

The park is one of the ten largest natural parks in the world. It has a length from north to south of 345 km, and from west to east - 54 km. Its area (20 thousand km 2) is comparable to the area of ​​our Ivanovo region.

Most of the territory of the Kruger Park is occupied by an undulating plain, turning in the east into low rocky foothill sections of the Lebombo ridge.

The climate is tropical, with hot and rainy summers and warm, dry winters.

The territory of the park is crossed by several relatively large rivers flowing from west to east - Crocodile, Sabiya, Olifants, Letaba, Shingwedzi, Luvuvhu.

Many small streams are plowed over in winter, forming dry sandy channels. Water scarcity is one of the main problems of the park, as well as of South Africa as a whole.

The flora is represented by 1968 species of plants, of which 457 species of trees and shrubs, 235 - cereals, 27 - ferns, 16 - lianas, 1213 - herbs and flowers. More than 800 species of animals are represented in the national park: 147 species of mammals, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 49 fish, 507 fish.

From flora there are “elephant” grass, bearded man, papyrus and an abundance of trees and shrubs; from the animal world - elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, monkeys, warthogs, jackals, crocodiles, hippos, lions, hyenas and others.

On the territory of the national park, the restoration of the population of such animals as the black and white rhinoceros, a giant elephant has recently begun.

Every year, more than a million tourists from all over the world visit the Kruger National Park and the protected areas adjacent to it.

(From the magazine "Geography at School" No. 8, 2006)

III. Consolidation. Listening to reports and messages. Grading.

IV. Homework.

§29, write an essay “One day in Africa”.