South Sudan is the youngest country in the world having gained its independence in July 2011. The many years of political instability that South Sudan faced shaped the future of the country. It is however remote and remains not fully utilized and its vegetation is also a cause it this. South Sudan is a landlocked country located in East Africa. It is bordered by several countries including Sudan to the north, Ethiopia to the east, Kenya to the southeast, Uganda to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest, and the Central African Republic to the west. The political turmoil that the country passed through for many years shaped its identity as a resilient country.
South Sudan is located in a tropical climate zone which is also known as equatorial climate. Over the years the country has been hit hard by natural disasters like drought which led to severe famine and loss of lives and animals. Most of this was attributed to vegetation loss caused by overgrazing. South Sudan receives an equatorial type of climate with two dry and wet seasons every year.
Vegetation zones in South Sudan
South Sudan is a vast country with different vegetation zones that are scattered across the entire country. These dictate and influence climate change and they include the following.
Tropical rainforest
Tropical rainforest is a type of vegetation that grows in areas that receive large amounts of rainfall every year. The tropical rainforest is characterized by thick undergrowth, shrubs, and large and very tall trees. In South Sudan, this vegetation zone is experienced near the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tropical rainforest vegetation zone is often evergreen throughout the whole year. Some of the tree species in this vegetation zone include mahogany, ebony, and acacia tree species. This type of vegetation can be experienced in Boma National Park.
Riverine vegetation
The riverine vegetation zone is very similar to the tropical rainforest. This is because it is located in similar regions and thrives in areas that receive a lot of rainfall throughout the whole year. The riverine vegetation zone grows in areas close to waterbodies such as rivers, lakes, and streams. In South Sudan, this type of vegetation zone is located along the White Nile and its tributaries. Papyrus reeds, grass, and other water plants. The banks of the Achwa River in the northern region of Nimule National Park are one of the best places to experience the riverine vegetation.
Savannah grassland
The savannah grassland vegetation zone is common in the plain areas of north and central South Sudan. The savannah grassland covers the biggest part of the country and takes the lion’s share regarding size and wideness. This vegetation zone is characterized by short grasses and scattered trees. This vegetation zone receives two wet seasons and dry seasons annually. The wet season in the savannah grassland vegetation zone is characterized by heavy rainfall throughout the season. The dry season on the other hand can appear to be quite very harsh with blazing hot sun that causes a prolonged drought for the whole season. The lush green vegetation of the savannah instantly turns khaki brown. With these changing patterns of wet and dry, the savannah grassland vegetation zone has managed to adapt to these conditions by bearing plants that can withstand heavy rains and harsh droughts.
Woodland
This vegetation zone is often considered a vegetation type between the savannah grassland and tropical rainforest due to the characteristics of both these zones it bears. It grows in areas that receive moderate rainfall. Woodland vegetation zone is common in most of the savannah national parks in the country. Unlike the savannah grassland is characterized by grass and scattered trees and large and tall trees like the tropical rainforests, woodland has many small and short acacia and fig trees scattered across this zone.
Mountain vegetation
The mountain vegetation zone as the name suggests is located in the elevated areas of South Sudan like highlands and mountains. This vegetation zone receives a montane climate type of heavy rainfall and very cool temperatures. The steep slopes of the highland areas have montane grassland and forests as the altitude increases, the vegetation slowly gives way unveiling rocks and small stones.
Where to experience the different vegetation zones in South Sudan?
With the several vegetation zones in South Sudan, they are evenly distributed across the entire country. Below are some of the areas to experience these vegetation zones.
Visitors to South Sudan can experience the tropical rainforest vegetation zone in Boma National Park and Lantoto National Park. The strategic location of these parks in central equatorial and western equatorial states favors the presence of tropical rainforests. These areas receive large amounts of rainfall and are dominated by large and tall trees with thick canopies.
The riverine vegetation zone can be experienced by visitors to South Sudan in areas close to water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and streams. The banks of the White Nile and River Achwa in Nimule National Park also harbor the riverine vegetation.
The Sudd wetland is dominated by the wetland and floodplain vegetation zone. This wetland is the largest natural wetland in the world located in the White Nile basin. This wetland vegetation zone is characterized by papyrus reeds, shrubs, grass, and aquatic plants.