1.2 An ecological crisis

Geography

Grade 5

Population: distribution and density

Module 27

Nature conservation areas and environment

The United Nations Organisation’s ideal is that countries should manage 10% of their territory as nature conservation areas. In South African terms this would include National Parks (like the Kruger National Park), reserves that are managed by the Departments of Nature Conservation of the different provinces, reserves that are under municipal control, as well as land owned privately, e.g. by mining companies and other organisations and farmers who manage a section of their land as reserves, game parks and game farms.

South Africa is not doing too well in this field, because only 7% of the country was managed as nature conservation areas in 2000. This situation may be improving as more land is continually being added to land that has already been set aside for conservation.

Land use in the Western Cape

Activity 1:

To identify important nature conservation areas in south africa

[lo 2.1]

Complete the table:

Nature conservation areas do not necessarily have to focus on the protection of plants or animals. Mountain catchment areas are frequently managed to protect vegetation so that rainwater will soak into the soil to supplement the underground water supply instead of flowing into the sea.

It should be clear why the nature conservation areas of any country would be the parts of the country with the lowest population density.

What about the people and the environment?

Mining and industry have many advantages for the country, but thorough consideration should be given to their effect on people and the environment.

In large mining and industrial areas, dust and gases are released into the air, and this has an effect on the people who work at the mines and in the industrial areas, and on the environment!

Activity 2:

To find out how people and their environment influence one another

[lo 2.3]

• Make a list of the possible dangers to people and the problems for the environment in an area such as South West Mpumalanga with all its coal and platinum mines:

Dangers that threaten people:

Dangers that threaten the environment:

Assessment

LO 2

GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

The learner will be able to demonstrate geographical and environmental knowledge and understanding.

We know this when the learner:

2.1 identifies and describes major physical features of South Africa, including those of the home province [people and places];

2.2 identifies links between natural resources and economic activities in South Africa [people and resources];

2.3 describes ways in which the physical environment influences human activity and how human activity is influenced by the physical environment [people and the environment

Memorandum

ACTIVITY 2

• Dangers: - Poor health - Lower standard of life and life expectancy

• Problems: - Gases (air-pollution) - Polluted water - Soil absorbs toxic waste - Has an effect on quality of agricultural products