<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >
Reasons for the fragility of our ecosystem What you could do to make our ecosystem more sustainable

2. Structural deficits

a) Give FIVE reasons why it was impossible for black people in the homelands to make a success of farming. (Remember that “structural deficits” are related to weak places in the system.)

3. Demand-driven deficits :

a) Explain in your own words what “demand-driven deficits” mean.

b) Draw two conclusions from each of Tables 4 and 5.

4. Availability-driven deficits:

a) Explain what “availability-driven deficits” signify.

b) How does deforestation contribute to availability-driven shortages?

5. Draw up a summary of the reasons why urbanisation took place so rapidly in recent times in South Africa.

Activity 2:

To answer questions about environmental pollution

[lo 2.2]

With a partner:

Study the following table and then answer the questions that follow:

Problem Impact Area
Soil compaction 2 million hectare Highveld – maize
Salinisation 1,2 million hectare Irrigated soil
Pollution 31 000 hectare Industrial / Domestic

1. Which of the problems in the above table affect the largest area?

2. Where does the problem of salinisation occur most generally?

3. What are we able to do in our homes to minimise or prevent the effects of pollution on agricultural land?

Assessment

Learning outcomes(LO)

LO 1

GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH The learner can apply research skills to study geographical and environmental concepts and processes.

Assessment standards(AS)

This is clear when the learner:

1.3 analyses and makes inferences from sources such as photo’s, maps, atlases, graphs and statistics [working with sources];

1.5 recognises information in the field and records it [working with sources].

LO 2

GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The learner can demonstrate geographical and environmental knowledge and understanding.

This is clear when the learner:

2.2 identifies ways in which Science and Technology have a positive and a negative influence on development [people and resources].

Memorandum

ACTIVITY1:

a) Low rainfall: Plant crops that adapt to rainfall figures

  • Water shortage: Build catchment dams and water restrictions
  • High population growth: Education
  • Deforestation as a result of

Development: Plant natural forests

  • Subsistence farmers - causes

erosion: Scientific farming methods

2. a) - Not sufficient access to fertile soil

  • Soil of inferior quality
  • Not sufficient funds to purchase seed, implements and fertiliser
  • Traditional farming
  • No market for produce

3. a) Shortages that occur as a result of population growth. An expanding population demands more land, more food, etc. A larger demand for basic resources arises due to a growing population.

b) TABLE 4:

1) Urban areas grow more rapidly (3%) than rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal.

2) Informal settlements grow more rapidly (4%) than rural settlements in KwaZulu-Natal.

TABLE 5:

1) Approximately half of the urban dwellers in KwaZulu-Natal live in informal settlements.

Urban settlements accommodate most people (54,6%) in KwaZulu-Natal.

4. a) Shortages that arise as a result of the over-utilisation of particular resources precisely because these resources are available.

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Geography grade 9. OpenStax CNX. Sep 14, 2009 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11057/1.1
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Geography grade 9' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask