Nairobi, KenyaAnd its climate...

Location

Kenya is in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean.

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.

Nair

obi, K

enya

Nairobi is the capitol city of Kenya a country located in eastern Africa bordering Somalia, Ethi-opia, 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.

You can see the relation of climate to equator here.

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 de-grees 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.

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 consist-

ing of rain every year

In January to March the temperatures range from a high of 28-27 degrees and a low of 15-13 de-grees. In April to June the high ranges from 26-24, the low ranges from 15-13. The temperature rang-es in July to September are at a 23-26 high and a 12 low. From October to December the Tempera-

ture 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.

FaunaNairobi 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.

Afri

can

Lion

Behavioral Adaptations: The lions usually gather in a pride with few males and numerous fe-males. 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.

Phys

iolo

gica

l A

dapt

atio

ns:

Shar

p cl

aws

and

te

eth

allo

w fo

r effi

cien

t hun

ting

and

for t

he e

at-

ing

of m

eat.

The

lions

tan

coat

cre

ates

an

ide-

al c

amou

flage

for t

he p

lain

s an

d g

rass

land

s of

th

e A

frica

n Sa

vann

ah.

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.

Structural Adaptations: Large ears allow

for ex-cellent heat m

anagement and

hearing, blood

vessels within the ears create a very efficient and

practical cooling system.

Phys

iolo

gica

l Ada

ptat

ions

: A lo

ng t

runk

allo

ws

elep

hant

s to

drin

k w

ater

and

bat

he th

emse

lves

w

ith c

ool w

ater

. Lon

g tu

sks a

re fo

und

on

the

el-

epha

nt u

sed

for fi

ghtin

g ot

her m

ales

and

as

a d

efen

se a

gain

st p

red

ator

s.

Impala

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

and scents.

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.

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

heat control.

FloraThe plant life in Nairobi Kenya is just as diverse

and unique as the colourful animal kingdom.

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.

Stru

ctur

al A

dapt

atio

ns: L

arge

thi

ck w

axy

leav

es p

rovi

de

exce

llent

wat

er lo

ss c

ontro

l in th

e ho

t clim

ate

by p

reve

nt-

ing

wat

er v

apou

r fro

m e

scap

ing

the

stom

ata.

Physiological Adaptations: The orchid

had a significant

brightly coloured uniquely shaped

petal in the center w

hich both ward

s of predators and

provides a unique

beauty.

Acac

ia Tr

ee

Behavioral Adaptations: The Acacia tree fol-lows 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 pre-vent 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.

Baobab Tree

Behavioral Adaptations: The Baobab tree has po-rous bark and branches which allows it to absorb more rain water and thus allow for more photo-synthesis. The Baobab tree also responds to both

the effects of phototropism and gravitropism.

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

predators.

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.

Threats

and recreation

The grasslands of Kenya support life in the savannah region, being the homes of a large va-riety 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.

Keny

a’s

Biom

e (g

rass

land

/sav

anna

h) is

cur

rent

ly fa

cing

sev

eral

thre

ats

that

are

ha

rmin

g or

leav

ing

the

regi

on in

a tr

oubl

ed s

tate

.

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 ef-forts 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 wild-life 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 at-traction has had many positive reviews with the only caution be-ing 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 lo-cal 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.

"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

Works Cited

All images are cited. Available by request.