Nairobi, Kenya - Biomes - A Science Project

Nairobi, Kenya And its climate...

Location Africa is a country in which the equator passes through.

Therefore the country sits in both the northern and southern hemisphere. But where is it cut?

Many countries of Africa are split, including: Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Somalia, and most importantly, Kenya.

Kenya is in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean.

Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi is the capitol city of Kenya a country located in eastern Africa bordering Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. Kenya is situated on the east coast. The city of Nairobi is just below the equator as the equator runs right through the middle of the country. Situated in the southern hemisphere, sitting in the eastern part of the African continent.

The climate of Nairobi is classified as a subtropical area, with average daily temperatures of around 27 degrees in the warm season and around 5 degrees lower for cold season sitting at an average of 22 degrees. These year round warm temperatures are the result of Kenya’s close proximity to the equator.

You can see the relation of climate to equator here.

The Area of Nairobi is called the Savannah Biome, Similar to grassland yet with some areas of trees around water holes and rivers. Nairobi receives an average of 50-127 mm of precipitation consisting of rain every year In January to March the temperatures range from a high of 28-27 degrees and a low of 15-13 degrees. In April to June the high ranges from 26-24, the low ranges from 15-13. The temperature ranges in July to September are at a 23-26 high and a 12 low. From October to December the Temperature ranges from 27-25 high and a 14-15 low.

Overall the temperatures remain fairly constant because of Kenya’s location just south of the equator. With Kenya being in the southern hemisphere the small seasons or slight average temperature changes are inverted to the seasons in the northern hemisphere.

With Kenya being just below the equator the effects of seasons are minimal providing a warm year long growing season, allowing a diverse collection of plant and animal life.

The Savannah provides a home for many unique species of animals and plants, which in turn makes Kenya a popular area for safari tours of the wildlife areas.

Fauna Nairobi Kenya is home to some of the mightiest and largest animals in the world, many are adapted to survive in this interesting and diverse biome. One of these animals is the king of the jungle the African lion.

Physiological Adaptations: Sharp claws and teeth allow for efficient hunting and for the eating of meat. The lions tan coat creates an ideal camouflage for the plains and grasslands of the African Savannah.

African Lion

Behavioral Adaptations: The lions usually gather in a pride with few males and numerous females. The lioness’ usually take care of the hunting and feeding/caring for the young. The males defend their territory from other lions and scare off scavengers.

Structural Adaptations: Male lions have manes which is the distinguishing feature between male and female. Large eyes are adorned to the lions allowing easy hunting at night. Strong muscular build allow for incredibly fast running to chase prey.

Structural Adaptations: Large ears allow for excellent heat management and hearing, blood vessels within the ears create a very efficient and practical cooling system.

Physiological Adaptations: A long trunk allows elephants to drink water and bathe themselves with cool water. Long tusks are found on the elephant used for fighting other males and as a defense against predators.

African Elephant

Behavioral Adaptations: The elephant has a memory which aids in leading herds of them towards previously found water holes and pastures. Elephants also are very alert to their surroundings for predators mainly being poachers.

Elephants are also known to be able to consume up to 200 liters of water in less than 4 minutes.

Impala Structural Adaptations: The males have distinguishable black spiral horns used mainly for challenging other males in fights to gain a mate. Impalas also adorn black tufts of hair around their ankles that cover their scent glands.

Behavioral Adaptations: The Impala are known to be quite timid and constantly alert for the numerous predators of the savannah (the lion). Impalas will bolt at incredible speed when danger is detected from sounds and scents.

Physiological Adaptations: The Impala has long agile legs, which allow for quick getaways and ultimate speed. Large tall ears provide excellent hearing and heat control.

The plant life in Nairobi Kenya is just as diverse

Flora and unique as the colourful animal kingdom.

Physiological Adaptations: The orchid had a significant brightly coloured uniquely shaped petal in the center which both wards of predators and provides a unique beauty.

Structural Adaptations: Large thick waxy leaves provide excellent water loss control in the hot climate by preventing water vapour from escaping the stomata.

Tropical Orchid

Behavioral Adaptations: The Orchid has over 22 000 different species of colourful and beautiful flowers. These flowers respond to both phototropism of the sun by leaning towards the light source. Gravitropism also affects this flower; the roots travel down and the leaves, stem and flower travels up.

Acacia Tree

Behavioral Adaptations: The Acacia tree follows similar behaviors to that of an orchid, it responds to the sun through phototropism and gravitropism with the trunk and roots.

Structural Adaptations: These trees have poison within their leaves to deter predators and prevent insects from eating them. The acacia trees are usually found spaced out along the African savanna.

Physiological Adaptations: The Acacia tree also has thorns along its trunk and branches this is an excellent defense from small herbivores and birds. This tree provides a shelter for some species of ants that aid in protecting it a form symbiosis.

Behavioral Adaptations: The Baobab tree has porous bark and branches which allows it to absorb more rain water and thus allow for more photosynthesis. The Baobab tree also responds to both the effects of phototropism and gravitropism.

Physiological Adaptations: The baobab tree has a smooth slick bark to prevent monkeys and other herbivores from reaching the leaves of the tree.

The shiny bark reflects light to keep the tree from heating up and thus drying out.

Baobab Tree

Structural Adaptations: Tall thick trunks to support the expansive canopy. White flowers bud on the tips of the branches which emit the scent of rotting meat to attract pollinating insects and repel predators.

Threats

and recreation

Kenya’s Biome (grassland/savannah) is currently facing several threats that are harming or leaving the region in a troubled state.

The grasslands of Kenya support life in the savannah region, being the homes of a large variety of animals from Elephants to Lions and even a large species of birds. However the land that provides such a sustainable for the animals is slowly being converted into agricultural landscapes.

Though these lands are being converted for agricultural purposes, there are efforts being made to ensure that the wildlife can maintain a healthy population. Examples of such efforts are: Giving the wildlife grazing rights over lands and water banks. When droughts hit, farmers and local communities open up their water banks in order for the wildlife to survive the season.

Drought has a major effect on the land because of the lack of moisture provided for the plants and wildlife to sustain a healthy environment needed. So far there is no solution to being able to stop the droughts or improve living conditions during them but efforts are being made to come up with a solution.

Conditions for this biome are declining rapidly from expansions being made by urban areas, wildfires and droughts. Long term

speculations look grim but groups from several different countries have started looking into long term wilderness care for the grasslands.

Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, offers many sights and events that catch the attention of many of the tourists who visit.

Private tours of The Nairobi National Park are offered to tourists, the tour shows off all of the endangered animals protected by the park with a guide to give information on each and every animal and how they are kept safe.

Karura forest hikes are also a huge attraction in Nairobi where local and touring hikers or lovers of the outdoors go to enjoy a beautiful and captivating jog through a lush verdant landscape; this attraction has had many positive reviews with the only caution being the local guardsman trying to sell overpriced maps.

Also offered by the local Aero Club of East Africa are lovely breakfast dining with food and beverages being served all day with a lovely gallery of old historic aviation mechanics as well as local airplane landings just beside the resort at the Wilson Airport.

Endangered Animals Animals such as the African lion have become endangered due to the fact that they require large areas of territory for hunting properly and because of the urban expansion; this has left them at a loss.

African Bush Elephants been added to the list of endangered animals since their tusks have been praised as valuable sources of Ivory, causing them to fall victim to poachers.

The fierce cheetah has become endangered due to habitat loss and being targeted by hunters for their pelts. Farmers protecting their livestock have also contributed to their loss in numbers.

Works Cited "Better Grassland Management Benefiting People and Nature – A Case Study from Northern Kenya."

Northern Rangelands Trust Better Grassland Management Benefiting People and Nature A Case Study from Northern Kenya Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2015.

Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2015.

"The Grassland Biome." The Grassland Biome. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Dec. 2015.

"KENYA." Kenya Map / Geography of Kenya / Map of Kenya. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2015.

"Kenyan Grasslands Appeal." Kenyan Grasslands Appeal. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Dec. 2015.

"Nairobi Monthly Climate Average, Kenya." Nairobi, Kenya Weather Averages. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Dec. 2015.

"Sites - Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs)." Birdlife Data Zone. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Jan. 2015

All images are cited. Available by request.