<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Natural sciences

Grade 8

Environment and interactions

Module 30

Different ecosystems

Our country has a wealth of widely differing kinds of ecosystems.

If possible, your teacher will take you to one or more of these ecosystems.

Activity:

To discuss the role of a grassland ecosystem

[lo 1.3]

In large parts of our country grass forms the greatest part of the ecosystems. We can also use the term BIOME to refer to the parts of the country that show more or less the same ecological characteristics. For instance, there is a grassland biome. A grassland biome can be described as a large ecosystem or it can be divided into smaller grassland ecosystems.

Knowledge of the grassland biome and grassland ecosystems is important in South Africa, because great parts of the country are utilized for grazing animals.

Game such as impala, buffalo and springbuck are also grazing livestock.

The type of grass in an ecosystem is mainly determined by the nature of the soil.

Grassland biomes are named according to the dominant grass type that is found in the system.

The main types of grassland ecosystems (actually biomes) are:

1. sweet veld – low rainfall areas; good livestock grazing;

2. sour veld – high rainfall areas; not very good grazing;

3. mixed veld.

Red grass ( Themeda triandra ) is a well-known grass type that is very nutritious for livestock.

Over-grazing is the most serious offence that a farmer can commit, because it leads to soil-erosion, desert creation and eventual famine.

Have a class debate on the following question:

  • Is the practice of regularly burning grass good or bad for the environment?
  • Write down the advantages and disadvantages of burning grassland, as mentioned in the debate, in the columns below:
ADVANTAGES OF BURNING DISADVANTAGES OF BURNING
.............................................................. ..............................................................
.............................................................. ..............................................................
.............................................................. ..............................................................
.............................................................. ..............................................................
.............................................................. ..............................................................
.............................................................. ..............................................................
.............................................................. ..............................................................

Assessment of DEBATE:

Have you made a meaningful contribution to the debate? [ LO 1.3]

Activity:

To discuss forest/tree ecosystems

[lo 1.2; lo1.3; lo 2.4]

Trees are not only producers , but as a result of their size they also create a habitat for certain species.

Animal and plant species inhabit trees.

The leaf cover of trees provides shelter for animals, while the bark and fissures in the trees also provide a habitat for numerous insect species. The leaf cover also creates a shady environment in which shade-loving, low-growing plants can flourish.

Questions & Answers

what is mutation
Janga Reply
what is a cell
Sifune Reply
how is urine form
Sifune
what is antagonism?
mahase Reply
classification of plants, gymnosperm features.
Linsy Reply
what is the features of gymnosperm
Linsy
how many types of solid did we have
Samuel Reply
what is an ionic bond
Samuel
What is Atoms
Daprince Reply
what is fallopian tube
Merolyn
what is bladder
Merolyn
what's bulbourethral gland
Eduek Reply
urine is formed in the nephron of the renal medulla in the kidney. It starts from filtration, then selective reabsorption and finally secretion
onuoha Reply
State the evolution relation and relevance between endoplasmic reticulum and cytoskeleton as it relates to cell.
Jeremiah
what is heart
Konadu Reply
how is urine formed in human
Konadu
how is urine formed in human
Rahma
what is the diference between a cavity and a canal
Pelagie Reply
what is the causative agent of malaria
Diamond
malaria is caused by an insect called mosquito.
Naomi
Malaria is cause by female anopheles mosquito
Isaac
Malaria is caused by plasmodium Female anopheles mosquitoe is d carrier
Olalekan
a canal is more needed in a root but a cavity is a bad effect
Commander
what are pathogens
Don Reply
In biology, a pathogen (Greek: πάθος pathos "suffering", "passion" and -γενής -genēs "producer of") in the oldest and broadest sense, is anything that can produce disease. A pathogen may also be referred to as an infectious agent, or simply a germ. The term pathogen came into use in the 1880s.[1][2
Zainab
A virus
Commander
Definition of respiration
Muhsin Reply
respiration is the process in which we breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide
Achor
how are lungs work
Commander
where does digestion begins
Achiri Reply
in the mouth
EZEKIEL
what are the functions of follicle stimulating harmones?
Rashima Reply
stimulates the follicle to release the mature ovum into the oviduct
Davonte
what are the functions of Endocrine and pituitary gland
Chinaza
endocrine secrete hormone and regulate body process
Achor
while pituitary gland is an example of endocrine system and it's found in the Brain
Achor
what's biology?
Egbodo Reply
Biology is the study of living organisms, divided into many specialized field that cover their morphology, physiology,anatomy, behaviour,origin and distribution.
Lisah
biology is the study of life.
Alfreda
Biology is the study of how living organisms live and survive in a specific environment
Sifune
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Natural sciences grade 8. OpenStax CNX. Sep 12, 2009 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11050/1.1
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Natural sciences grade 8' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask