Africa┐s vegetation was once very different to how it is today. During the Roman times, a large part of north Africa was fertile, the perfect grain-growing region. Tropical rainforests once spread right across Central Africa. Desert and scrubland areas have increased now and the forest of Africa has decreased. This is mainly due to poor farming methods. The grassy and savanna plains feature vegetation of acacia and baobab trees. The mountain regions have vegetation that includes bamboo, heather, lichens and alpine plants.