Environmental Studies Strand 3 Unit 2 Lesson 1

Watch: Spheres of the earth

Spheres of the earth: Biosphere: Where all living organisms exists Lithosphere: Outer layer of earth comprised of soil & rocks Hydrosphere: All water on earth’s surface Atmosphere: . Layer of air surrounding earth, containing various gases.

Biotic: Living / Alive E.g: Plants(producers) Animals(consumers) Microorganisms

Abiotic: Non-living You cannot refer to them as DEAD Soil Water Gases sunlight

Ecology: Study of relationship between living organisms and the environment in which they live. So these factors are interdependent on each other.

Ecology Environment ecosystems Biotic & Abiotic parts Organisms

Biomes: Broad geographic regions Similar animal & plant species. Specific temperatures & rainfall Definition: Area with particular climate together with organisms living there.

Global biomes: +- 15 Influencing / distinguishing factors: Ave Temperature Ave Rainfall Soil Conditions Chief vegetation

Biomes in Southern Africa: 7 main TERRESTRIAL biomes. 1 Savannah 2 Nama- Karoo 3 Succulent Karoo 4 Fynbos 5 Forest 6 Grassland 7 Thicket

Watch: Spectacular South Africa

Grasslands tend to be east Biomes: Grasslands tend to be east Deserts / dry parts Tend to be west

SAVANNAH: Grasslands with occasional trees, often Acacia sp. Biggest biome, 46%of surface area, extending into Kalahari, Bushveld and KwaZulu-Natal, Bron v toerisme en jag, pilanesberg, krugerwildtuin deel v bioom.

SAVANNAH/ SAVANNE: Hot in Summer. Cold in Winter Summer rainfall Sandy soils Low nutrient levels Grassland / bushveld Shrub tree 1/3 of SA SAVANNAH/ SAVANNE: Grasslands with occasional trees, often Acacia sp. Biggest biome, 46%of surface area, extending into Kalahari, Bushveld and KwaZulu-Natal, Bron v toerisme en jag, pilanesberg, krugerwildtuin deel v bioom.

NAMA-KA/ROO: Oorgang tussen kaapse flora (suid) en tropiese savanne (noorde)/

Lime rich ( thin soil over rock) Hot in summer Cold in Winter Low rainfall Summer rain Lime rich ( thin soil over rock) Grassy dwarf shrubs Second largest biome Central Plateau of W NAMA-KA/ROO: Oorgang tussen kaapse flora (suid) en tropiese savanne (noorde)/

SUCCULENT KAROO: West Coast and Karoo Long, dry seasons with late summer/winter rainfall. Cold Benguela sea current causes fog, source of water for many animals. Extreme daily temperature differences

Extreme droughts in summer Low rainfall Hot summer Cold winter Winter rainfall Extreme droughts in summer Limerich Succulents Dwarf shrubs Annuals in spring SUKKULENTE KAROO: SUCCULENT KAROO/ West Coast and Karoo Long, dry seasons with late summer/winter rainfall. Cold Benguela sea current causes fog, source of water for many animals. Extreme daily temperature differences

Drought-escaping xerophytes / annual plants flower and produce seed in the short rain season and survive hot, long, dry summer as seed NAMA KAROO Drought-escaping xerophytes / annual plants flower and produce seed Skade_ skaapboerdery & swak toerisme bestuur in the short rain season and survive hot, long, dry summer as seed

FYNBOS: Wes kaap Fynbos= small shrubs, fine leaves Sw & s v wes kaap World heritage site (UN) 0ne of 6 floral kingdoms of world, enigste een slegs in een land. ekotoerisme

Cold winters ( not frost) Hot summer Cold winters ( not frost) Winter rainfall Well – leached soil Infertile Fires and seeding Cape Peninsula Floral kingdom FYNBOS: Wes kaap Fynbos= small shrubs, fine leaves Sw & s v wes kaap World heritage site (UN) 0ne of 6 floral kingdoms of world, enigste een slegs in een land. ekotoerisme

Fire plays important ecological role in Fynbos: It gets rid of old and dry vegetation, giving geophytes an opportunity to flower. Some seeds germinate only when stimulated by smoke of Fynbos fire. FYNBOS AFTER FIRE Factors determining effect of fire: How often? In which season? How intense? Size of area Fynbos survives as: 1.Underground buds,shoots 2. Bulbs 3. Corms 4. Rhizomes

Watch: Into the fynbos

FOREST: Slegs klein deeltjies oor. Evergreen/ semi deciduous/ semi bladwisselend. Coastal lowlands/ eskarphange Smaller than 1000 ha Suid kaap: Knysna is groter

Variable T ( scattered) Some areas winter & others summer rain Fertile soil Thick humus Herbaceous plants Evergreen trees Dispersed FOREST: Slegs klein deeltjies oor. Evergreen/ semi deciduous/ semi bladwisselend. Coastal lowlands/ eskarphange Smaller than 1000 ha Suid kaap: Knysna is groter

GRASSLANDS: Central plateau of SA, in parts of Savannah and Nama Karoo biomes, KZN Midlands and Transkei 24% Meestal grasse, mostly grasses Woody plants- rare, absent/ houtplante is skaars of glad nie aanwesig

Grasses different between acidity of soil Warm summer Cold winter (frost) Summerrainfall Sandy soils Clay & leaching Grasses different between acidity of soil escarpment GRASSLANDS/ GRASVLAKTE: Central plateau of SA, in parts of Savannah and Nama Karoo biomes, KZN Midlands and Transkei 24% Meestal grasse, mostly grasses Woody plants- rare, absent/ houtplante is skaars of glad nie aanwesig

THICKET: Found mostly in eastern cape/

Characteristics of Savannah & Forest Wide spread so rainfall differs Nutrient poor soils KZN - EC BOSLANDSKAP: THICKET/ Found mostly in eastern cape/

Homework: Activity 2 p 219 No: 4 5 6c,e,f At least three points per answer.