Chapter Three

The Natural Environment

Chapter learning outcomes

Identify the daily range of temperature of the days in some parts of Ethiopia.

Develop the skill how to register the amount of temperature and rainfall.

Define the meaning of weather and climate.

Identify the elements and controls of weather and climate.

Differentiate the natural resources of Ethiopia

Identify the indigenous plants that grow in Ethiopia.

Discuss the natural resource conservation mechanisms in Ethiopia.

Mention the factors that affect the natural resources in

Describe water conservation mechanisms in Ethiopia.

Distinguish the drainage systems of Ethiopian rivers.

List the environmental impacts that affect the use of minerals in Ethiopia.

Describe the factors that affect the wild animals in Ethiopia.

Mention the sources of Energy in Ethiopia.

3.1 Climate of Ethiopia

3.1.1 Weather and climate

What is the difference between Weather and climate?

Weather is the condition of the atmosphere over a short period of time. Weather
includes daily changes in precipitation, air pressure, temperature, wind, etc. Weather
refers to atmospheric conditions in a given location.

Example the weather condition of the day is (Figure)

Sunny, windy, cloudy, Foggy….

Figure 3.1. Different weather conditions

Climate is the average of all weather conditions of an area over a long period of time.
These conditions include average temperature, air pressure, humidity, and days of
sunshine for a period of 30 years. Climate tells us what it is usually like in the place
where we live.

For Example

Tropical, sub-tropical, desert, semi desert (wurch, Dega, weina Dega, Bereha, Desert)

3.2 Major Elements of Weather and Climate

The major elements of weather and climate are elements that are found in a given area
naturally
The major elements of weather and climate are temperature, rainfall, winds, air pressure,
clouds, etc. You will learn more about these elements of weather and climate.

Temperature

Temperature is the amount of hotness or coldness of an object. The sun is the primary
heat source for the earth and its atmosphere. The sun’s energy is called insolation or
solar radiation, and this turns into heat energy at the earth’s surface.

We can measure the Daily average temperature of the day by adding the maximum and
minimum temperature of the day.

Rainfall

Rainfall is liquid precipitation. Any moisture that falls from the clouds towards
the earth’s surface is called precipitation.

Precipitation may occur in the form of rain, snow, hail, sleet and drizzle.
Precipitation is part of the water cycle or hydrological cycle.

The water cycle begins as water is changed from liquid to vapor by evaporation
and transpiration of water vapor. Once water vapor is formed, it expands and
cools. Then, condensation occurs, forming clouds, and the water falls as snow,
sleet or rainfall.

The whole process is powered by solar energy and is repeated continuously. This
whole process is called the hydrological cycle.

The Relationship between Temperature Altitudes

1000 meter is the line that used to identify whether the place is highland or lowland. In
Ethiopia, most of the Areas which have the height more than 1000 meters above sea
level are considered to be as highland. However, if the elevation is below 1000 meters
above sea level it is known as lowlands. Most of Ethiopian highlands have low
temperature and low lands have hot temperature.

For example the mean annual temperature of, Dallol (found in Afar region) is about 35
and the mean annual rainfall is very low. The mean (average) temperature of Ras Dejen
(Found in Amhara Region) is below 0 and has high amount of Rainfall.

This implies:

When altitude increase, the amount of temperature will decrease and the amount
of rainfall increase.

When altitude decrease, the amount of temperature increases and the amount of
rainfall decrease.

Ethiopian Highlands.

Highlands of Ethiopia are grouped into three areas:

Northern highlands: include Tigray, Wollo, Gojjam, Gonder and the Shewan
plateaus.

The Southwest Highlands: include parts of Wellega, Illubabor, Keffa, Gamogoffa

and Benishangul highlands.

The Southeast Highlands: They are separated from the northern and
southwestern highlands by the Ethiopian Rift Valley. They include the Arsi-Bale
Massif, Jemjem Plateaus and Hararghe Highlands.

The highlands of Ethiopia account for more than half of the total area of the country.
They experience cool climate and adequate rainfall. Here altitude modifies the climatic
condition of Ethiopia.

Lowlands of Ethiopia

Lowlands of Ethiopia include the areas below 1000 meters in altitude, and they are
mostly found in the peripheral parts of Ethiopia. They are grouped into three categories.
These are:

Western Lowlands: They include the Tekeze-Setit lowland, the AbayDinder and
the Baro Akobo lowlands.
 Southeastern Lowlands: include the Borana, Elkerre and Ogaden lowlands.

Awash-Afar Lowland: occupies the floor of the Rift Valley.

The Awash Valley: extends from the south of Koka Dam to the mouth of the
Awash River.

Afar Depression: extends northwards within the floor of the Rift Valley. It is the
lowest point of Ethiopia, and the Kobar sink (116 m below sea level) is part of it.

Exercise 3.1.

Complete the following table.

Write the elements of weather and Mention the controls of weather

climate and climate.

Explain the relationship between temperature and Altitude.

___________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________.

Mention the three highlands of Ethiopia.

________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________

Mention the areas that found in Awash-Afar lowlands. _____________, ___________,

_____________________,___________________.

Write the difference between Weather and climate.

______________________________________________________________________.

Fill the following areas on the table bellow.

Gondar, wellega Arsi, Baro-Akobo ,Borena

No. Location of places Place

Northern Ethiopia

Southern Ethiopia

Southwestern Ethiopia

Southeastern Ethiopia

Air Pressure

The air around us has weight. This weight exerts pressure on the surface of the earth.
We call this atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure is not the same all over the
earth, and it is not the same even in one place all the time.

3.1.3. Traditional Climatic Zones of Ethiopia

The distributions of temperature and Rainfall in Ethiopia are mainly determined by

following two factors. These are:

the location of Ethiopia ( Latitude) and

Altitude
 The above noted factors, together with other less important ones, determine the
distribution of climate in Ethiopia. As noted earlier, Ethiopia is located within the
Tropics. Therefore, in principle, it is a tropical country and might be expected to
have tropical climate throughout. However, since Ethiopia is a highland country,
much of its climate is affected by altitude.

It is only in lowland areas that a tropical climate (Kolla) prevails. Altitude is the
most important climate control in the highland parts of the country

The traditional Ethiopian classification of climatic zones is based on altitude and

temperature. This system divides the nation into the following five major climatic
zones: Bereha, Kolla, Woina Dega, Dega and Wurch. Bereha: Bereha is the hot arid
climate.

Wurch: Wurch is a type of Alpine climate. The annual average temperature is less
than 10ºC. Annual rainfall is between 800 and 2000 mm. The zone exists at
altitudes equal to or more than 3300 m amsl.

Dega: Dega corresponds roughly with the temperate climate. Dega is the climate of
the cool temperate highlands. It covers a region with an altitude range of 2300 m
to 3300 m amsl.

Woina Dega: This is subtropical warm-to-cool semi-humid zone which corresponds

to roughly with what is commonly known as the warm temperate climate.

Kolla: Kolla is a (warm-to-hot semi-arid climate). Kolla is the climate of the hot
lowlands with an altitudinal range of 500 to 1500 m a.m.

Bereha is the climate of the desert lowlands that are found below 500 m above
mean sea level where the average annual rainfall is very low.

3.1.4. major classifications of climate of Ethiopia

Major types of climate of Ethiopia are the elements of climate that influences an area to
be moisturized, hot and cold. These elements of climate are average temperature and
Rainfall distributions. Based on the average temperature and rainfall distributions
climate of Ethiopia can be grouped in to three. These are:

Warm and moist climate: these areas have high amount of average temperature
and rainfall distributions.

Warm and Rainy climate: it has moderate average temperature and rainfall
distribution

Cold climate : these areas have dry temperature and low distributions of rainfall

3.1.5. Controls of Weather and Climate

Controls of Weather and Climate are the factors that affect the distributions of
elements of climate and climate regions of an area. The major controls of weather and
climate include:

Latitude

Altitude

Distance from the sea

Ocean current

Wind

Cloud cover

Latitude: When the sun’s rays are vertical (at a right angle) to the surface, the
amount of heat received is the greatest. But when the sun’s rays are slanting
(oblique) the heat’s strength decreases. At the equator, the overhead sun is high
and of high intensity insolation is received. At the poles, the overhead sun is low,
so the amount of insolation is low. During mid- day, the overhead sun is high and
of high intensity insolation is received. However, during the morning and the time
before sun set the overhead sun is low, so the amount of insolation is low.

Altitude: Air temperature decreases with increasing altitude. The normal

decrease of temperature with height is 6.4oC per 1000 m. This is known as the
 normal lapse rate. The normal lapse rate is the average rate or proportion at
which temperature changes per unit of altitudinal change. The highland areas of
Ethiopia are good examples of places that demonstrate the effect of altitude on
temperature.

Distance from the sea: if the two areas are located on the same latitude and
altitude, there is no temperature change if one area is near to sea and the other is
far from sea. Land heats more quickly than water. But it loses its heat quicker
than water. This is because of the transparency of water reflections from water
surfaces, evaporation, mixing and currents in water. All these conditions result in
greater and more rapid temperature changes on land than in the seas. Therefore
coastal regions are cooler than inland regions. In winter in mid latitudes, the
ocean surface is much warmer than land areas. So onshore wind brings heat to
coastal lands. During the summer, coastal areas remain much cooler than inland
sites.

Ocean current: Ocean current is the horizontal movement of ocean waters

caused by winds and differences in temperature. The effect of ocean currents on
temperatures depends upon whether the current is cold or warm. Cold ocean
currents have cool temperatures and low moisture content, whereas warm ocean
currents have high temperatures and high moisture content.

Wind: wind is the horizontal movement of the air. Winds indirectly change the
temperature of places near the sea according to the areas from which they blow.
There are different types of winds on the earth. The name of the winds is gains
from the winds are originated.

Cloud cover: Cloud reduces the amount of solar radiation that reaches the
earth’s surface and the amount of radiation reflected from the earth’s surface.
When there are no clouds, both types of radiation will be at a maximum level.

Note. In Ethiopia, the major controls of weather and climate are Altitude, latitude and
wind.
 Natural resources of Ethiopia

Natural resources are the resources which exist without any actions of human being.
These resources are very important for human beings to fulfill their needs such as for
recreation, raw materials for industries, trade, health, education and for other purposes.

Types of Natural Resources

Based on their size, type and the time that required replenishing themselves, Natural
resources are mainly classified into two different categories:

Renewable and

Non-renewable natural resources

Renewable natural resources: are the resources that can be generated again
once they are used. Example:- sunlight, water, soil, plants, air and wild animals.

Figure 3.4 Renewable natural resources

Non-renewable natural resources: are resources that exhaust after their

frequent usage and it takes a long time for them to regenerate. Example: -natural
gas, coal, iron, copper and petroleum. Most of these non-renewable natural
resources cannot be recycled. So it is important to conserve these natural
 resources.

Figure 3.4. Non renewable Resources

Types of Soil

Soil is a natural resource consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable

thicknesses. It is composed of particles of broken rock that have been altered by
chemical and environmental processes that include weathering and erosion. It is a
mixture of mineral and organic constituents that are in solid, gaseous and liquid states.
It also consists decomposed parts of plants and animals. Soil has different size. These
are Large, medium and small particles. Soil particles are very fine parts of the soil.

There are three types of soil. These are: sandy soil, clay soil and loam soil. These soils
are different among each other based on their size, water holding capacity and types of
elements each soil.

Sandy soil: Sandy soils have relatively large pores and the particles have little
tendency to clump together. Sandy soils have good aeration and are easy to work.
However, sandy soils retain little water, they dry up quickly in hot weather and
useful minerals are easily washed out of them. This means they are poor in plant
nutrients. They are useful for growing crops which do not require large amounts
of water, such as groundnuts.

Clay soils are made of very small particles, which are easily packed together.
Clay soils have low porosity; retain water and rich in nutrients. They are poorly
drained, poorly aerated and difficult to cultivate. Waterlogging, when the entire
pores fill with water, is a common problem. Poor aeration causes the death of
roots due to lack of oxygen.

Figure 3. Clay soil

Loam soil: loam, which is a mixture of sand, clay and silt and contains a mixture
of particle sizes, and plenty of humus. Such a soil is fertile; it is properly aerated
and contains adequate supply of mineral and water.
 Figure 3. Sandy Soil

Causes of Soil Erosion in Ethiopia

Erosion is the term given to the process of the wearing a way of soil by natural
agents (running water, wind, ice, wave action and corrosion) and the transport of the
rock debris that results.

The major Causes of Soil Erosion are the following. These are:

deforestation,

overgrazing and

bad farming practices which deplete plant cover,

Leaving the land exposed and vulnerable to erosion.

Types of Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetation refers to any original plant grown in and covering an area. These
plants can prepare their own food by the help of sunshine. Based on the strength of
their stem and height plants can be grouped in to three. These are:

Soft wood: these plants have short height and soft stem.

Example, cereals (wheat, barley, maize and others), Vegetables (cabbage,

carrot and lettuce)
 Figure 3.1 Softwood plants

Bushes and Shrubs: are plants that have middle height and hard stems. Example
Kega and Agam

Figure 3.7 Shrubs

Trees: are plants that have large, hard and long stem.

Example, Zigba, Wanza, Koso, Bahrzaf, Girar and etc.

Plant species
 Figure 3.8. Trees

Plant species can be grouped in to Flowering and Non Flowering.

Flowering Plants: these are plants that reproduce by their flowers. These plants
are many in in type and number of species.

Example: Maize, Rose, Beans, Teff and others

Non Flowering plants: are plants that don’t have flower . Example.

Moses

Furns

Flowering plants………..

Indigenous plants of Ethiopia.

Indigenous plants are plants that are found only in one country. There are various
indigenous plants in Ethiopia. Among these: Zigba, Kosso, Tsid, Wanza and others.

Importance of Forests

Forests give many uses for humans and the environment. The following are some of the
importance of forests,

Increase soil fertility

Protect the soil from the

Shelter for wild Animals

Reduce the carbondioxiede emission

Causes of Deforestation.

There are various causes of deforestation that differs from place to place. Among these:

Construction of houses.
 Furniture

Fire wood

To expand farmland and others.

Effects of Deforestation

The following are some of the effects of deforestation. These are:

Migration of wild animals

World climate change

Lack of food crops

Lack of plants used for medicines

Lack of fresh air.

Loss of Biodiversity

Ways of protecting Natural Vegetation.

The following are the ways of conservation mechanisms of Forests. These includes:

Protecting the wild fire around forests

Reserving forests from public contacts

Reforestation

Create awareness for the people who live around the forest.

Substitute another tree when the other tree is cut.

Exercise 3.3

Choose the correct answer from the given alternatives.

________ 1. Which one of the following soil is important for plants?

Clay soil B. Sandy Soil C. loam soil D. Red Soil

______2. Which one of the following type soil can be eroded easily?

loam soil B. Sandy Soil C. Clay soil D. Sediment Soil

________3. Which one of the following cause of is not cause of soil erosion?

Deforestation C. contour ploughing

Overgrazing D. Terracing

______4. _______ is a type of soil that is made up of small particles.

loam soil B. Sediment Soil C. Clay soil D. Sandy Soil

The Ways of Conservation of Natural Resources

Sustainable use of resource means the use of resources that does not lead to the long
term degradation of the resource and maintaining its potential to meet the needs and
aspirations of present and future generations. In other words, it is defined as the use of
the environment and its resources at a rate that does not exceed its capacity for
replacement of the resource. There are various ways of conservation of natural
resources. Among these:

Use alternative sources of Energy.

To conserve the natural resources particularly the non-renewable resources, it is better

to use other sources of energy such as solar energy and use biogas for energy source.

Recycling

In addition to reducing waste, we need to find ways to make the best use of all the
materials we throw away. It is the process of reusing materials or recovering valuable
materials from waste or scrap. Making products from recycled materials usually saves
energy, water, and other resources.

Conservation

Human wants are unlimited but resources are limited. So it is very important using
natural resources wisely to fulfill our limitless wants.

Indigenous and effective soil conservation mechanisms in Ethiopia.

An Indigenous plan is a plant that is grown only in a given country that doesn’t come
from other country.

There are various and common indigenous soil conservation mechanisms that
Ethiopian Farmers and pastoralists used. These methods vary from one place to
another based on the topography of the area. Among these methods:

contour ploughing

afforestation and reforestation

fallowing

use compost

crop rotation

terracing

Water conservation and sustainable utilization

Water conservation refers to the wise use, control and development of water bodies,
and prevention of pollution. The following methods are useful to conserve water:-

. Protection of water from pollution:

Rational use of groundwater

 Use of modern irrigation methods:

Maintain pipelines

Protect and conserve different water bodies.

Use rain water

Industries should use water by

Factors that influence the water Resources In Ethiopia.

The following are factors that affect the water resources in Ethiopia. These are:

Reducing the amount of rainfall

Miss-use of water

Water pollution

Nature and Types of lakes in Ethiopia

Lake is the shallow body of water that is surrounded by land. There are many lakes in
Ethiopia. Based on the area the lakes are found, they can be grouped in to two. These
are:

Highland Lakes: these lakes are found highland areas of the countries. These
lakes are: Lake Tana, Haik(South wello),wenchi, Dendi, Ashengie and Zengena.

Rift valley lakes: are found in Ethiopian Rift valley.

Example: Lake Abe, Ziway, Abjata, Shala, Hawassa, Langano, Chamo and
Abaya.

Major Drainage Systems of Ethiopian Rivers.

Drainage system is the flow of rivers and their tributaries towards the different direction.
There are three drainage systems of Ethiopian Rivers. These are
 Mediterranean Drainage system. These rivers cross the countries boundaries
and flow towards Northwestern direction.

Indian Ocean Drainage system. These rivers flow towards southeastern direction.
Example Wabishebele, Genale

Inland Drainage System. These are rivers which flow only inside the rift valley
areas of Ethiopia. Example, Awash and its tributaries.

Types and major features of Ethiopian Rivers.

Ethiopian rivers can be grouped in to two. These are:

International rivers: these are rivers that cross the countries’ boundaries.

Inland (domestic) rivers that flow only in the country. Example Awash.

Characteristics of Ethiopian Rivers: Ethiopian rivers have the following

characteristics.

Originated from highland areas and flow towards lowlands.

Most of the rivers have waterfalls.

Use as international boundaries

Exercise 3.3.

Write short answer for the following questions.

Mention the rivers that flow towards the Mediterranean Sea.

___________, ____________________, _______________________

Write the rivers that flow in rift valley of Ethiopia.

_________________________, _____________________________

List the features of Ethiopian Rivers.

 _______________________________________________________________,

_________________________________________________________________.

_____________________________________________________________________

Mineral resources

Minerals can be found in Solid, liquid and gaseous state. These resources are also
found on the surface of the earth and inside the earth’s crust. Example, Gold, Diamond,
Silver, Bronze, Natural gas and etc.

Figure 3.8. Gold, Diamond and Opal

Sustainable use of Minerals.

Sustainable use of minerals is the use of minerals scientifically and without damaging
the natural environment. Some of these methods include:

Use machines instead of using human labor.

Apply scientific studies

Protect the minerals from damage wastage.

Use to protect the environment from pollution and damage.

The following are not sustainable use of Minerals. These are:

use labor force

Backward and traditional mining.

The minerals are exposed to loss of quality

Cause for the environmental problem.

Effects of non-sustainable use of Minerals on Natural Environment. The

following are some of the effects of no sustainable use of minerals.

Air and land pollution

Create ponds and swampy areas.

Soil erosion

Loss of life human during mining.

Wild Animals

There are different areas which have different climate and altitude in Ethiopia. In these
areas there are various types of animal and plant species. Wildlife includes all wild living
creatures, large or small. Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects are
regarded as wildlife. Example Foxes, monkeys, zebras, Elephants, Giraffes, ostrich,
Eagles, Hippopotamus and etc.
Mountain Nyala waliya Ibex Galada Baboon

Menilik’s Bush Zebra Cork

Red Fox

Figure 3.9. Endemic animals that found in Ethiopia.

Endemic Animals in Ethiopia

Endemic animals are animals that found only in Ethiopia. There are various kinds of
endemic animals in Ethiopia. These are: Minilk Nyala, Red Fox, Waliya Ibex, wild Ass,
chilada Baboon and etc.

No. Name of the Endemic Location of the national Park

Animal

Waliya Ibex Semein highlands.

Mountain Nyala (Dega Bale mountains

Agazon)

Menilik’s Bushbuk Shoan and Bale highlands

(‘Dikula’)

Swayne’s Hartebeest Nechsar park and the Sankalle sanctuary

(‘Korkay’)

‘Gelada’ or ‘Chelad’ Semein highland

baboon

Wild Ass (Yedur Ahiya), Rasa (Afar) and Southeast Lowlands.

Table 3.1 Name of the endemic animals found In Ethiopia and their location.
 White Pelican

Flamingo

Goose

Figure 3.10, endemic birds in Ethiopia

Causes of the Extinction of Wild-Animals

The main reasons for such conditions are the shrinking and destruction of habitats,
which are mainly forest land by way of:

rapid expansion of farmland, settlements, and industrialization

 Expansion of grazing land F wide spread practices of illegal hunting by the local
people in search of meat, skin, fur, horn and ivory.

frequent wild fires What is more,

Migration of the wild animals to neighboring countries, due to shortages of food

and water in Ethiopia adds to their perpetual disappearance.

Sources of Energy in Ethiopia

There are various types of sources of energy in Ethiopia. These are: water, air, sunlight,
food, petroleum, coal and others. These sources of energy can be grouped in to two.
These are

Renewable Sources of Energy:

Are the sources that can be generated again once they are used? Example:- sunlight,
water, plants, air and wild animals.

Solar Energy Wind Energy HEP Energy (water)

Figure Renewable sources of Energy.

 Non-renewable Sources of Energy:

Are sources that exhaust after their frequent usage and it takes a long time for them to
regenerate. Example: -natural gas, coal, and petroleum. Most of these non- Sources
natural resources cannot be recycled. So it is important to conserve these natural
resources.

Coal Natural Gas

Figure Non Renewable Sources of Energy

Major Environmental problems

Major environmental problems include:

pollution,

global warming,

ozone layer depletion,

Waste disposal and loss of biodiversity. Governments and environmentalists

address these issues through advocacy, education and activism.
 Ways of Natural Resources Conservation

Conservation of natural resources means protecting of the natural resources and

avoiding of improper utilization of these resources. It is also wise use of natural
resources.

Pollution: is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. There are three
major types of pollutions. These are: water, air and land pollutions.

Major Causes of pollution in Ethiopia:

The following are some of causes of pollution in Ethiopia. These are:

Industrial effluents or industrial wastes

Domestic sewage

Agricultural source: use of excessive fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides

Mineral oils

Effect of pollution on Human beings

The effect of pollutants on animals and man are as follows: -

pollution causes dryness of mucous membranes, changes eye vision and causes
headache

desertification

Increase infections.

ways of protecting the Environment from Pollution.

The following are ways of protecting the environment from pollution. These are

wise use of natural resources

recycling

proper disposal of wastes and plastic materials

Planting of trees.

Glossary.
Afforestation (ድነና): planting trees on bare and unproductive lands.
Reforestation (መልሶ ድነና) – planting trees after every tree harvest.

Desertification (በረሀማነት): id the process of changing of the land in to desert due

to natural and man-made features.

Forests (ደን): is the land that is covered by diferent trees.

Non-Flowering Plants (ቅምብብማ ዕፅዋት): are plants that have seeds not having
flower.

Shrubs (ቁጥቋጦ): are plants that have middle height and hard wood

Endemic (ብርቅዬ): are animals and plants that found only in a specific area.

Summery
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere over a short period of time. Weather
includes daily changes in precipitation, air pressure, temperature, wind, etc.

Climate is the average of all weather conditions of an area over a long period of time.
These conditions include average temperature, air pressure, humidity, and days of
sunshine for a period of 30 years. Climate tells us what it is usually like in the place
where we live.

. The major controls of weather and climate include:

Latitude

Altitude

Distance from the sea

Ocean current

Wind

Cloud cover

There are three types of soil. These are: sandy soil, clay soil and loam soil.

Natural vegetation refers to any original plant grown in and covering an area.

The following are factors that affect the water resources in Ethiopia. These are:
Reducing the amount of rainfall, Miss-use of water and Water pollution.

Endemic animals are animals that found only in Ethiopia.

Major environmental problems include: pollution, global warming, ozone layer depletion,
Waste disposal and loss of biodiversity.
 Review Questions of unit three

_______1. Climate is the daily condition of the atmosphere

________2. When altitude increase, temperature increases.

________3. Non-renewable resources can be replaced easily.

________4. Plants can prepare their own food.

________5. Non- flowering plants can reproduce ny their seeds.

________6. Sarensets can reproduce by sexual production.

________7. Deforestation can cause for soil erosion.

________8. Soil types can be identified by their particles.

ii. Choose the correct answer from the given alternatives.

______1. Which one of the following mineral is found only in Ethiopia?

A. Gold B. Bronze C. Opal D. All

______2. Which type of soil is important for plant growth?

A. Sandy soil B. Loam soil C. Clay soil D. All

______3. Which one of the following is not element of weather and climate?

A. Temperature B. Rainfall C. Cloud D. Latitude

_____4. Which one of the following is highland lake of Ethiopia?

A. Hawassa B. Langano C. Tana D. Abaya

_____5. Which one of the following is element of weather and climate?

A. Ocean current B. Wind C. Cloud D. All

_____6. identify the plant that is not indigenous plant in Ethiopia?

A. Kosso B. Zigiba C. Bahirzaf D. Girar

____7. Which one of the following plant is grouped under hardwood tree?

A. Shrubs B. Tree C. Creels D. Vegetables

____9. One of the following is not the cause of soil erosion. Which one?

A. Deforestation B. Downward plough C.

Overgrazing D. Contour plough