Factors that influence food security Deforestation

10: Human impact on the environment

Human exponential population Loss of wetlands and
growth grasslands
The atmosphere and climate change Droughts and floods (climate Poaching
Water availability
Composition of the atmosphere change) Alien plant invasions
Sources of CO2 and CH4 emissions Factors affecting water availability in SA Alien invasive plants and the Factors that reduce the loss of
Carbon dioxide emissions reduction of agricultural land biodiversity
Construction of dams
Methane emissions Destruction of natural wetlands The loss of wild varieties: impact Control of alien plant invasions
on gene pools
Other potent greenhouse gases Exotic / alien plantations using mechanical, chemical and
Nitrous oxide Water wastage Food wastage biological methods

Ozone Cost of water Genetically engineered food The sustainable use of the
Poor farming practices environment
Poor farming practices
The greenhouse effect and its Droughts and floods Useful indigenous plants impact
Monoculture
importance for life on Earth Boreholes deplete aquifers biodiversity
Overgrazing and loss of
The natural greenhouse effect topsoil Activity 4: Biodiversity
The enhanced greenhouse effect Water quality
The use of fertilizers
The effects of global warming Solid waste disposal
Concept of water quality The use of pesticides
Deforestation and its influence on the
Factors reducing water quality Activity 3: Food security The need to reduce solid waste or find
CO2 concentration in the atmosphere
Eutrophication and algae blooms ways of managing it
Reasons for deforestation
Domestic, industrial, and Aspects of solid-waste disposal
Effects of deforestation Loss of biodiversity
agricultural pollution
Management and rehabilitation of
Carbon footprint: ways of reducing our Agricultural contamination Introduction dumpsites
Industrial effluent The importance of maintaining
Human activities increase CO2 The use of methane from
Effect of mining on the quality of biodiversity
emissions daily dumpsites for heat and lighting
water
Carbon footprint calculator Factors reducing biodiversity The need for recycling
Thermal pollution
Reduction strategies Habitat destruction through: The need for safe disposal of
Alien invasive plants
Ozone depletion Role of water purification in improving Farming methods (over- nuclear waste
Causes of ozone depletion quality of water grazing and monoculture) Activity 5: Solid waste
Consequences of ozone depletion Water purification Golf estates
Strategies to decrease ozone Role of water recycling in improving Mining End of topic exercises
depletion the quality of water
Urbanisation
Activity 1: Greenhouse Activity 2: Water
effect availability

Food security
Water availability and water quality

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The atmosphere and climate change

Climate refers to the average weather conditions (temperature, rainfall and air
pressure) of a large area over a long period of time.

Introduction Climate change refers to any change or disturbance to an established

climate pattern. This has happened in the past and is occurring now.

Humans depend on the environment for survival but our activities are causing severe Key terminology
problems in the natural environment. Our rapidly increasing population and greenhouse gases gases which trap heat in the atmosphere: the two main
technological growth are out of balance. Human needs are becoming greater than (GHGS) GHGS are carbon dioxide and methane
the natural resources available to us and we produce more waste than our released gases which are usually harmful to the
emissions
ecosystems can cope with. Our environmental equilibrium is disturbed. The quality environment
of life on Earth is threatened (Figure 1). the greenhouse warming of the surface of the earth by greenhouse gases
effect trapping heat in the atmosphere
the natural when greenhouse gases are in balance they regulate
greenhouse effect earth s temperature and enable life on earth
the enhanced when excessive greenhouse gases are emitted they trap
greenhouse effect too much heat in the atmosphere
the rise in earth s average temperature as a result of the
global warming
enhanced greenhouse effect
any natural system (soil, water or plant) which absorbs
carbon sink
and stores carbon dioxide (CO2)
the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air
carbon footprint
because of individual or group energy needs
reduction in the concentration of ozone in the ozone layer
ozone depletion
in the stratosphere (upper atmosphere)
deforestation the destruction of natural forests through human activities
desertification the process by which fertile land becomes desert

Figure 1: Humans are fewer than 0.01% of all life on earth Composition of the atmosphere
but have caused the extinction of an estimated 83% of all mammals

In this chapter we examine: Earth s atmosphere is a critical mixture of gases (Figure 2) which sustain life, with

The atmosphere and climate change 78% nitrogen (N2)

Water availability 21% oxygen (O2)
Water quality
1% all remaining gases, mainly carbon dioxide (CO2) and other small
Food security
(trace) amounts
Loss of biodiversity
Solid waste disposal

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 Methane (CH4) emissions

Methane is the second largest contributor to the enhanced greenhouse effect, and
as the planet warms up so its contribution increases even faster.
Human activities are responsible for over 60% of total methane in the atmosphere.

0,1% CH4 emissions are produced by:

natural anaerobic decomposition of organic materials, e.g. in wetlands
7%
melting ice in polar regions and permafrost releasing trapped CH4 bubbles
(Figure 5)

Figure 2: Composition of the atmosphere

Sources of CO2 and CH4 emissions greenhouse gases

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are produced by:

cellular respiration when CO2 is exhaled
decomposition of dead plants and animals
the burning of fossil fuels as an energy source for electricity or transport
Figure 5: Methane bubbles trapped in ice and being released from the
chemical reactions in the cement industry and the production of fertilisers
ocean floor
veld fires and domestic wood burning, which release CO2 into the
atmosphere and lead to rampant deforestation as well (Figures 3 and 4) seawater - decomposing marine organisms release methane bubbles. As the
ocean temperature rises, more methane is released.
intensive agriculture:
o decomposing dung and compost for fertilising
o gas being released by ruminants (animals with two stomachs mostly
cattle)
industrial / mining processes:
o refining of fossil fuels (crude oil and gas)
o drilling / fracking (Figure 6 below) for natural gas trapped in the
Figure 3: Coal fires releasing CO2 Figure 4: Forest fires / deforestation sediments

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Fracking termite populations feeding on dead trees as a result of logging release

Hydraulic Fracturing large quantities of CH4
drilling rig

Other potent greenhouse gases

gas
containers
Water vapour is the largest volume of greenhouse gas warming the planet naturally.
water & chemicals Nitrous oxide, ozone and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbon) all contribute to global warming
waste
water as greenhouse gas pollutants.

Nitrous oxide (N2O)

N2O is released by:
well
burning wood and fossil fuels
water aquifer biological processes which break down organic matter in the soil and sea
nitrogen fertilisers used for commercial farming
Ozone (O3)
gas
flows An ozone molecule consists of three oxygen atoms bonded together and is either
out helpful or harmful depending on where it occurs in the atmosphere.
fractures The ozone produced by vehicle emissions that accumulates close to the
water,
Earth is a pollutant and a harmful greenhouse gas. These ozone
sand &
chemicals gas rich layer emissions should be eliminated.
injected Ozone can however also be helpful, especially in the upper atmosphere
into well (15 Here the ozone serves to protect
fractures

Figure 6: Fracking operation releasing methane / contaminating underground water

are found in aerosol sprays, solvents, fridges and
foams used for fast food packaging.
Landfill sites and waste water (sewage) treatment

The greenhouse effect and its importance for life on Earth

How a greenhouse works

A greenhouse (Figure 8) is built with transparent walls (either glass or plastic).
Heat from the sun warms the space inside. Although some heat is radiated out
through the transparent walls, the trapped heat keeps the inside warm enough
that plants can grow inside in all weather.

Figure 7: Solid waste disposal and water treatment plant

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 Heat energy rises; some
escapes atmosphere
infrared rays long wavelengths radiated
radiate from to the atmosphere sun
reflects back into space Some of this heat energy
ground and
encounters gas molecules
cannot pass
that scatter it and reflect it
through glass
back towards earth
short
waves

short waves heat the

ground warmed air rises and heats the
greenhouse

Figure 8: A greenhouse, with transparent walls, allowing heat in, and some heat out. Figure 9: The natural greenhouse effect

Figure 9 illustrates the following:

1. the Sun emits radiation towards the Earth some of this radiation reflects off
the atmosphere back into space
2. some radiation goes through the atmosphere and warms
The natural greenhouse effect
3. releases radiation back into the atmosphere - some of this
radiation escapes back into space
The greenhouse effect refers to the natural warming of the earth (see Figure 9 on the
4. most of the reflected radiation is absorbed and trapped by greenhouse gases
next page) by heat trapped by the greenhouse gases such as water vapour, carbon
in the atmosphere, warming the Earth
dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). These gases act as an insulating blanket in
5. trapped radiation is reflected back to Earth as well, warming and insulating the
Earth s atmosphere keeping temperatures evenly warm at a range that supports life
surface even more
on Earth. If there were no greenhouse gases, the atmosphere would have a
temperature of -18°C. This temperature would be unable to sustain life.

The enhanced greenhouse effect

An increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases due to human activities, leads

to an enhanced greenhouse effect. This results in a significant rise in the average

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temperature of the earth s surface over a period of time and has many negative Economic, political and social conflicts will increase as natural resources
effects. The enhanced greenhouse effect is responsible for global warming. are limited due to climate change. Climate refugees are migrating from war-
torn, developing countries suffering the consequences of climate change.

The effects of global warming Melting polar ice caps and glaciers (see Figure 11 below) result in:
o polar species unable to adapt become extinct: e.g. polar bears and
Sharply rising temperatures result in increasing numbers of heat waves Arctic foxes in the Arctic Regions and Emperor penguins in Antarctica
alternating with extreme weather conditions such as powerful storms.
o global temperatures rise further as ice reflects solar radiation and
Rising sea levels cause coastal flooding. Many coastal cities will vanish. does not hold heat as liquid water does
Rainfall patterns are changing once dry areas are getting volumes of rain, o methane trapped in ice is released this adds to the warming which
and areas that had plentiful rain are slowly turned into desert areas. in turn melts more ice

Droughts periods are increasing leading to more frequent fires, soil erosion Melting permafrost in Arctic regions is releasing tons of CO2 and methane
and desertification. into the atmosphere

Food production is decreasing. Crops die as they cannot adapt to the

changing seasons. Food insecurity increases.
o Warmer sea water kills corals in shallower parts of the oceans. Corals
are carbon and methane 'sinks' so this adds to the enhanced greenhouse
effect. (The word 'sink' is used meaning holding tank or reservoir)
Seawater is becoming too acidic. Increasing CO2 in seawater forms
carbonic acid which weakens marine animal exoskeletons as well as corals.
Desertification (Figure 10) fertile land becoming a desert. 33% of land is
becoming desert, putting a billion people at risk of famine. 90% of South
Africa is classified as desert or semi-desert.

Figure 11: Ice caps / glaziers melting

In general, global warming is responsible for desertification, drought and floods

(extreme weather conditions).

Deforestation and its influence on the CO2 concentration in

the atmosphere

Deforestation (see Figure 12) is the large-scale destruction of indigenous forests by

humans felling and burning trees and bush to clear space for other purposes. This is
a major contributor to the enhanced greenhouse effect and is estimated to contribute
Figure 10: Desertification 20% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions.

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 o The manufacturing of wood / paper products releases more CO2.
o Burning of felled trees releases the CO2 that was trapped in the trees

Figure 12: Deforestation the destruction of vast area of indigenous forest

Figure 13: Rainforests of the Congo Basin

Reasons for deforestation
Increase in methane (CH4) in the atmosphere
Land clearance for farming and urban development
o livestock (goats, sheep, cows) in cleared areas produce CH4
Commercial logging of indigenous timber to supply world market demands
o termite populations feed on dead trees releasing large quantities of CH 4
Removal of commercial plantations of non-indigenous, fast-growing trees
to supply timber for building and for making paper Other effects of deforestation include:
Mining vegetation cleared / burnt to enable large scale mining operations Soil degradation from nitrogen loss, exposure to wind and water erosion
Fuel trees cut down to supply firewood / charcoal for those without gas or More frequent flooding / mudslides as reduced vegetation cannot
electricity absorb heavy rainfall (Figure 14)
Traditional medicines indigenous trees stripped of their bark and roots to Desertification and extinction of species occur more rapidly. It is
meet the increasing demands for traditional medicines estimated that 50,000 species disappear annually
Forest fires deliberate or accidental destroy vast areas of natural
vegetation
Acid rain weakens trees by damaging their leaves, limiting nutrients uptake,
or poisoning them

Effects of deforestation

Increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere

o Forests act as natural carbon sinks (Figure 13) they absorb CO2 during
photosynthesis, and when they die and decompose, CO2 becomes part of
the humus in the soil, enabling new plants to grow. This is the natural
carbon cycle which balances CO2 in the atmosphere. Figure 14: A once fertile forest reduced to desert
o If forests are cut down the CO2 remains in the atmosphere contributing
to global warming instead of being part of the carbon cycle.

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Carbon footprint: ways of reducing Carbon foot print calculator

The term arbon footprint (Figure 15) refers to the total amount of CO2 emitted by Use this South African carbon calculator to find out how many trees you should plant
an individual or group in one year. to offset (provide balance for) your CO2 emissions, for example, if you fly from
Gauteng to Durban.
http://www.trees.co.za/carboncalculator/index3.php#carbon_results
A heavy carbon footprint a large quantity of CO2 released

Strategies to reduce the carbon footprint (Figure 16)

A light carbon footprint a

small quantity of CO2 released

Figure 15: Heavy and light carbon footprints

Human activities increase CO2 emissions daily Figure 16: Remember the Rs!

directly through the use of fossil fuels, or

indirectly by using products and services processed with fossil fuel energy.
Rethink everything you use in terms of your carbon footprint

Reducing our carbon footprint Refuse to waste; do not use or buy disposable items, e.g. straws, cutlery, nappies,
is the most important long-term step Reduce burning wood, gas and coal; using appliances, shopping; transport use.
we can take to ensure Reuse products whenever possible, e.g. water bottles, mugs, shopping bags
our future on this planet Recover and replace items and materials with recycled, donated or upcycled
There are many ways we can do this. Recycle paper, plastics, glass, metal and electronic items by separating waste.
Repair clothing, furniture, appliances to decrease market demands.
Replant indigenous vegetation as carbon sinks in densely populated areas
Renew ways of producing energy and making items. Be creative and inventive.

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Possible examples of reducing our carbon footprint: the ozone hole over Antarctica

Causes of ozone depletion

Ozone depletion is caused by various chemicals and pollutants which react with
ozone. Examples include:
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) used in older
refrigerators, air-conditioners and spray cans/aerosols release chlorine
which destroys ozone molecules
Bromine from pesticides and fire extinguishers

Figure 17: Energy saving bulbs Figure 18: Spekboom Carbon tetrachloride, a solvent used in dry cleaning and paints

Replace old light bulbs with energy saving bulbs.

Plant indigenous spekboom. These plants remove a 100 times more
carbon from the atmosphere than pine trees. Consequences of ozone depletion
If the ozone layer is thinner or destroyed, more harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation
e causing:
Ozone depletion
Human damage: increased UV exposure weakens our immune system,
leading to skin cancer (Figure 21), sun burn, and skin ageing. It also causes
As stated above, ozone in the stratosphere forms a protective layer that absorbs 97
cataracts and damages chromosomes.
dangerous ultraviolet radiation that is
potentially damaging to life on Earth.

South pole. The ozone was thinning, and even disappearing at times over the polar
on to penetrate the atmosphere.
Figure 21: Skin
Scientists referred to this phenomenon as ozone depletion (Figure 19). cancer characterized
the ozone layer was larger than the continent of Antarctica (Figure 20). by raised, rough
skin.

Agricultural damage: UV radiation interferes with photosynthesis in plant

ozone hole growth. As a result greenhouse CO2 levels rise as plants no longer absorb
CO2. Food security is threatened as plant growth slows down drastically.
Marine damage: excessive UV radiation damages marine life.
Material damage: excessive UV radiation breaks down wood, plastics,
Earth
rubber, textiles and other construction materials.

Figure 19: Ozone depletion Figure 20: 2008 NASA image of

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Strategies to decrease ozone depletion Water availability

Clean fresh water is essential for the survival of all living species on Earth. Water is
The Montreal Protocol
a renewable resource, but the availability depends on climate conditions.
In 1987 in Montreal, Canada, 30 nations signed a global treaty to reduce and
It is estimated that by 2050 almost 2 billion people won t have access to clean, safe
eventually stop production of ozone destroying substances such as CFCs and
water supplies. This is an urgent problem for governments across the world.
others.
The Montreal Protocol is a success story, and ozone depletion has been stopped,
but has not yet been reversed. We need to continue our care by developing
ozone friendly products, maintaining laws preventing ozone depletion, monitoring
skin cancers and increase public awareness.

Activity 1: The greenhouse effect

Study the pie chart and fill in the missing information on the table below. (6)

Global GH gas percentages of the enhanced greenhouse effect

carbonfluorocarbons

ozone carbon
dioxide

nitrous oxide

methane
Figure 22: Global water consumption from 1900 to 2025

Key terminology
hydroelectricity electricity generated by the power of water
Greenhouse Gas Sources of emissions %
wetland ecosystem saturated permanently or seasonally with water
Carbon dioxide respiration, fires, fossil fuel burning, decomposition 53 aquifer underground layer of water-bearing, sponge-like rock

Methane (name 3 more) gas leaks .................................................................... 17 irrigation supply of water to land or crops to help growth
excessive nutrients in a waterbody causing excessive
Nitrous oxide fertilisers, organic decomposition, fires, deforestation ..... eutrophication
growth of algae or aquatic plants
............................ industrial processes, chemical reactions to sunlight ..... sewage liquid waste: water and excrement (urine and faeces) in
sewers
Carbonfluorocarbons refrigerants, aerosols, cleaning solvents 12 sewers drains and pipes

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 sewers carrying sewage to a sewerage plant or place of The negative impacts of dams include:
sewerage system
water treatment
loss of habitats below the dam making less water available
sanitation system a hygienic or waterborne sewerage system
changes in the natural flow of water
contamination pollution or poisoning
reduced water quality
thermal (pollution) heat pollution (in this case from hot water)
increased sedimentation
AMD acid mine drainage
prevention of the natural migration of fish
purification cleaning by removing contaminants
reclamation returning something to a previous, better condition
The destruction of natural wetlands

Wetlands are important ecosystems (Figure 24):

Factors affecting water availability in South Africa
Wetlands act as sponges, storing rainwater and releasing it slowly in dry
Access to sufficient water is a basic human right in the Constitution of South Africa. seasons. This prevents flooding and any soil erosion that would result from
This has improved access for some, but service delivery is a challenge for most the quick run-off of flood waters.
people of our country. The following are major factors affecting water availability: Wetlands are habitats for diverse species of animals, plants and aquatic
plants which act as filters, cleaning water that flows through them.
The construction of dams

A dam is a man-made barrier usually built across a river or catchment area for the
following reasons:
water supply for domestic and industrial use
water supply for agricultural and food production
flood control catchment areas
generating hydro-electricity (Figure 23)

Figure 24: iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu Natal provides a valuable

research site for environmental scientists to explore impacts on water and quality.

Wetlands are damaged by human activities:

Wetlands are drained to build roads, factories and housing in urban areas and
as by irrigation for agriculture.
Damming wetlands destroys their ability to filter and release water naturally.
Figure 23: SA s largest dam, the Gariep, overflowing in 2011
Wetlands are polluted by mining, industrial and domestic waste and litter.
and generating hydroelectricity

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Exotic / alien plantations deplete the water table The cost of water
Many alien plants (not from SA wattles, gums, pines, etc.) are grown in South Water for all as a human right was introduced in South Africa in 2006: 6 kL
Africa to supply timber (Figure 25 & 26) wood pulp for paper. These are all fast- (kilolitres) per month is free for a family of five. Because the building and
growing, water-hungry plants which deplete the groundwater and reduce biodiversity. maintenance of dams, water treatment and supply is expensive, municipalities
charge for extra usage the greater the volume used, the greater the charge.
Urban areas are supplied by dams situated in distant rural areas which also
increases costs.

Poor farming practices

Monoculture (planting of a single crop) uses a lot of water. Open ditch

irrigation and overhead sprinkling systems lose water to evaporation.
Overgrazing, vegetation destruction, burning and deforestation all cause
Figure 25: Pine plantations for the Figure 26: Black wattle an invasive
erosion which leads to water loss through increasing run off.
paper industry alien
Incorrect ploughing up and down slopes (instead of contour ploughing) also
causes more runoff (water wastage), which in turn causes more erosion.
Water wastage

Water is wasted in homes, on farms, in industry and on mines through

carelessness, poor management and inefficiency. 40% of our cit
supplies are lost to leaking pipes (Figure 27, 28).
Crisis events, such as droughts or veld fires, increase the demand for water
and therefore increase the risk of wastage.

Figure 29: Contour ploughed fields in the Western Cape prevent excess run off

Droughts and floods

Rainfall is variable from year to year and most of our country is arid.
During droughts availability of water decreases. Increasing temperatures lead
to high rates of evaporation from open sources such as dams and lakes. The
Figure 28: Collecting water from a communal
water used from dams during these times is not easily replaced.
street tap in Soweto, Johannesburg. Worn taps
result in leaks and water wastage. Natural vegetation allows water to soak into the soil. If vegetation is removed,
Figure 27: Stop wasting
or the land is too arid, then there is nothing to hold excess water during floods
water!
the soil is further eroded and the extra water is lost.

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 Domestic, agricultural and industrial pollution
Mining
Thermal pollution
Introduction of alien plants

Eutrophication and algae blooms

Eutrophication occurs when high levels of nutrients from fertilisers and

sewage-polluting water bodies encourage the rapid growth of algae.
Nitrates and phosphates from fertilisers, sewage and detergents are rich food
Figure 30: Aerial image of barren earth exposed over the nearly empty for algae which then reproduce very quickly. This is called an algal (or algae)
Theewaterskloof dam during severe drought in the Western Cape in 2018 bloom and shows as a thick layer of green scum (Figure 31) on the water.
The algae block out light needed by aquatic organisms for photosynthesis, so
these organisms die. Anaerobic bacteria use up all the oxygen in the water to
Boreholes deplete aquifers decompose the dead organisms. The result is that all other organisms
(including fish) which are dependent on the oxygen, die as well (Figure 32).
Boreholes need to be monitored to prevent too much water being taken from
aquifers.
Mining in Gauteng and North West Province and fracking in the Karoo drain
and pollute the aquifers, decreasing availability.

Water quality in South Africa

What do we mean by the concept of water quality?

Water must be clean and treated so that it is safe to drink. Diseases such as cholera, Figure 31: Eutrophication Figure 32: Algae bloom leads to oxygen
typhoid and dysentery are waterborne (carried by water) and cause diarrhoea which produces this thick green depletion and the death of aquatic species
can lead to dehydration and death. pond scum
Water is used for various purposes: domestic, industrial, agricultural and mining.
These various activities all affect the quality of the water.
Domestic, industrial and agricultural use

Detergents, pesticides, fertilisers, sewage (Figure 33) all negatively affect

Factors reducing water quality water quality

The factors responsible for reducing water quality include: Domestic waste must be disposed of through controlled sewerage
systems in urban areas to be treated / purified at sewerage plants.
Eutrophication and algal bloom
Untreated waste can spread diseases or lead to eutrophication

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Industrial effluent (liquid waste) (Figure 35)

Waterborne waste from industrial processing that is pumped into rivers or

wetlands causes various types of pollution depending on the industry:
o Toxic chemical pollution from paints, glues and solvents, heavy
metals such as mercury and lead causes poisoning.
o Increasing salinity (saltiness) of wastewater containing common
salts used in or produced by industries kills sensitive organisms.
o Oil and petrol spills from industries and underground storage
tanks pollute and poison surrounding water systems.

Figure 33: Open pit latrines contaminate groundwater: E. coli bacteria from human
faeces make it un-safe to drink ground water or river water without purification
treatment.
Agricultural contamination

o Large commercial farms use huge quantities of fertilisers, hormones and

pesticides to speed up plant growth, kill insects and other pests (Figure
34).
o Irrigation and rainwater washes a lot of these chemicals into wetlands,
dams and rivers, and some filter into the groundwater.

Figure 35: Polluted water (waste water or effluent) discharging

into a river and wetland

The effects of mining on the quality of water

A lot of waste water is generated by all sectors of mining. Most of this is pumped into
drainage ponds and dams (Figures 36 and 37). It is then treated and recycled by
responsible mining companies.
Figure 34: A farmer spraying pesticides in a rice paddy field

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Figure 36: AMD inside an abandoned Figure 37: AMD on the surface outside
gold mine. an old mine
Figure 38: In winter it is easy to see how hot water from the cooling towers of a
power station melts an ice covered river
Most of the water used in mining goes to waste and pollutes the quality of water
bodies in the following ways:
Thermal pollution: Mines also discharge large amounts of hot water
which kills plant and animal life. Alien invasive plants
Chemical contamination: The poison cyanide is used in goldmining and
contaminates surface and ground water bodies near mines. Alien invasive plants they are alien since not indigenous to an area, and invasive
because they flourish and out-compete indigenous species for space and resources.
Metal contamination: Mine waste water contains traces of poisonous
arsenic, mercury, lead and zinc which affect nearby water bodies. Radio- Aquatic aliens invade water bodies containing excessive nutrients from
active elements such as uranium are also dangerous contaminants. sewage and agricultural waste. There are many of these in South Africa but
the worst is the water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) (Figure 39)
Acid mine drainage (AMD): Ground water dissolves sulfide minerals out
of the rock in mines forming sulfuric acid. This contaminates ground water Water hyacinth reproduce quickly to form a dense mat over the surface of
and surface water bodies around disused mines for years, impacting water bodies such as rivers, dams and lakes. They choke irrigation canals,
human and animal health negatively and resulting in a loss of biodiversity pipes and pumps controlling water flow.
and desertification. The dense covering or carpet of water hyacinths blocks sunlight penetrating
water bodies, causes eutrophication and kills all aquatic life. This severely
decreases water quality and increases the risk of waterborne diseases.
Thermal pollution

Thermal pollution is the result of warm or extremely hot waste water from industrial
processing being pumped out into nearby waterbodies (Figure 38).
Hot water kills many temperature sensitive organisms.
Hot water has a lower oxygen content which also kills oxygen-dependent,
aquatic organisms.
The increased temperatures contribute to favourable conditions for algal
bloom and eutrophication. Figure 39: Water hyacinth float on water, and form a dense carpet

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Role of water purification in improving quality of water

Water may be purified at home using filters. The water should be boiled to
The poor quality of water is more of a problem than the lack of water supply. make it safe for drinking.

Figure 40: Boil water before drinking to kill any disease causing pathogens

If we continue to pollute our available water:

we will damage ecosystems which are our primary sources of fresh water.
there will be less water for all human activities, from drinking water to Figure 42: Make a simple homemade water filter using a discarded 2 L bottle
industrial water use.
water will cost more to treat and recycle, and everyone will have to pay.
Use a 2 L bottle with a lid
there will be an increase in waterborne diseases.
Cut the bottom off the bottle and fill it with layers of filtering materials in the
order shown in Figure 42.
Water purification
Invert it over a glass container and pour dirty water in the open end.
Water purification is expensive but necessary to ensure clean fresh drinking water
Remove the lid. Clean water will drip through the filter.
for human consumption.
The filtered water must be boiled or chlorine tablets can be added.
Water is treated and purified on a large scale at water treatment and
sewerage plants.

Recycling water improves the quality (and availability) of water

Recycling used water is a necessary source of water, particularly in arid areas or in

times of drought.
Power stations, mines and industry should all recycle their water waste.
Domestic households can use their greywater for growing plants.
Cities and towns should reclaim water at sewerage works and purify it for
domestic use

Fig 41. Aerial view of storage tanks in sewerage plant

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Activity 2: Water availability
Food security
Western Cape water consumption data was calculated to be the following in 2018:
Consumers Water consumption in Mm3 According to the World Health Organisation (1996) food security exists when all
people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, nutritious
City of Cape Town 360 food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active,
Agricultural sector 180
Other municipalities (Overberg, Boland,
40
West Coast and Swartland)

1.
a) the independent variable (1)
b) the dependent variable (1)
2. Can this data be used to accurately predict the water consumption for the
year 2019? Give a reason for your answer. (2)
3. Draw a pie chart (with labels) to show the data in the table expressed in
percentages. Show workings in table format, round to whole numbers. (6)
4. Can one predict future water consumption for the Western Cape? Give a
reason for your answer. (2)
Figure 43: Healthy, nutritious fruits, grains and vegetables are often too expensive
5. Research waterless composting toilets and determine whether they should for the poor to access, even though there is a surplus to be had.
be installed as an alternative to septic tanks, pit latrines or bucket toilets. (4)
Here is a video link to a one type of waterless composting toilet.
Food insecurity is where there is evidence of malnutrition and starvation. This is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LrUc0C7vW0 often a result of socio-political conditions such as wars, refugee migrations, diseases
(16) and epidemics.

Key terminology
the guarantee that nutritious food will be available to all
food security
people at all times and in sufficient quantities
exponential growth where size increases at a greater and greater rate
famine severe shortage of food that causes starvation
monoculture farming a single crop or breed over a large area
pesticide insect or rodent killer or poisons
herbicide weed / plant killer
fertiliser food for plants
gene pool all the different genes in a breeding population
genetic engineering altering the genes of organisms
subsistence farming farming traditionally to feed themselves to survive
commercial farming farming with machinery to sell products for profit

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Factors that influence food security Droughts and floods (climate change)

Food security is influenced by: Climate change and extreme weather conditions are caused by global warming:
human exponential population growth Increasing droughts are a threat to crops and reduce food security and result
drought and floods (climate change) in famine. After diseases, famine is the second largest cause of deaths
alien plants and the reduction of agricultural land worldwide.
the loss of wild varieties Floods are becoming more frequent because of changes in rainfall patterns
wastage and the increasing incidents of extreme conditions such as hurricanes. Floods
genetically engineered foods put enormous pressure on food production, and the ability of humans to
poor farming practices such as: recover agricultural land after flooding. Floods also increase the spread of
diseases.
o monoculture
o overgrazing and the loss of topsoil
Alien invasive plants and the reduction of agricultural land
o the use of fertilizers
o the use of pesticides Alien invasive plants reduce food security because:

Human exponential population growth Aliens use much more water than indigenous plants and lower the water table
for boreholes. This reduces the supply of water for irrigation of food plants.
For thousands of years, human population growth increased very slowly and it
Aliens such as gum, pine and wattle trees contain volatile oils which burn
faster than indigenous species resulting in veld fires (see Figure 45).
1 billion people (see Figure 44). The estimate for 2020 is 9 billion people on the
planet. This puts enormous strain on food resources.

Figure 45: Alien invasive pine trees are highly flammable: they contain resins, retain
lots of dry needles on dry, low-hanging branches, and shed dead needles into dense
carpets of dry mulch

The bark, stems and leaves of some alien invasive plants change the soil pH
which then cannot support agricultural production.
Figure 44: The exponential growth of the human population

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 Some alien plants that invade pastures and grasslands, are inedible or toxic. The gene pool refers to the wide varieties of genetic characteristics which are
This negatively affects livestock attempting to eat them. passed on through reproduction:
o A large gene pool means great genetic diversity, with strong and healthy
Weeds outcompete planted crops, which affects food production, as they are
labour-intensive to remove and control with pesticides (Figure 46) breeding stock. (Wild varieties)
o A small gene pool means low genetic diversity, and more susceptibility to
problems, therefore weaker stock. (Often a result of selective breeding)
o Ongoing destruction of habitats is resulting in mass extinction of species
and shrinking of the gene pools across all dependent food species.

Food wastage

Food security is more threatened by wastage than any shortage: it is estimated that
a third of global food production (1.3 billion tons) is wasted worldwide every year!
Wastage occurs at every step of the food chain: from growing, harvesting and
processing, to retailing (selling) and consumption (buying and eating).

Wastage differs in developing countries from developed countries:

Figure 46: The Alien Invasive Species Removal programme trains people In developing countries, 40% of food is lost during food production and
to identify and remove alien species transportation (Figure 48) because subsistence farmers:
mostly farm in poor-quality soil or in areas that are unsuited to agriculture
lack adequate storage and cooling facilities
Loss of wild varieties impacts biodiversity and the gene pool
are unable to protect crops and livestock from the effects of extreme weather
Most modern food crops and meat supplies come from plants and animals that have conditions, pest infestations and diseases in animals
been selectively bred or domesticated from wild varieties. Over centuries humans
cannot afford expensive long-distance transportation for produce and struggle
have improved nutrient values and food yields by selectively breeding some varieties
with bad roads and limited access to railways
of plants or animals over others. Wild varieties, however are often more resistant to
pests & diseases and can be used to breed resistant genes into domesticated crops.

Figure 47: Wild varieties of maize they are more genetically diverse,
but with lower yields than modern selectively bred maize. Figure 48: Subsistence farming and its problems

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In developed countries, food is wasted at all stages of food supply. The total food
waste of developed countries is estimated to be 222 million tons per year. This is
almost the entire food production of sub-Saharan Africa.
Wastage in developed countries occurs because of:
harvesting with machinery, which harvests ripe and unripe crops together. As
a result unripe crops are wasted.
laws which require disease infected stocks to be completely destroyed
surpluses occurring from commercial farming being discarded because the
selling price is not high enough
supermarkets sell- -
these dates are dumped even though still perfectly edible

Figure 49: Irrigating a monoculture field huge amounts of

Genetically engineered foods pesticides and fertilisers are needed to farm monocultures

Genetically modified (GM) foods can improve food security because: The negative effects of monoculture include:

they are modified to be pest and disease resistant which reduces the cost of o exponential growth of pests attracted by the concentration of food
pesticides o loss of topsoil once the crop is harvested
o loss of biodiversity
they are modified to provide extra nutrients and greater yields
o increased application of fertilizers and pesticides
they can be altered to tolerate drought conditions and salty soils which means o periods during which there is no food for bees
they can be grown in areas that were previously unsuitable
Overgrazing and loss of topsoil
Overgrazing occurs when too many animals graze an area for prolonged
Poor farming practices periods. The plant cover which protects and binds the soil is removed. Topsoil
is vital for agriculture. It is rich in humus (organic matter) as well as inorganic
Famine is also a result of poor farming practices. The effects of climate change is nutrients (minerals) and organisms, e.g. earthworms that aerate and enrich
making the situation worse. the soil with their excreta.
In South Africa, almost 70% of agricultural land is used for grazing because it
The future of food: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbMUUPJFy40 is not fertile enough, or is too dry, to support crop planting.

Poor farming practices include: The effects of overgrazing include:

Monoculture this refers to the growing of high-yielding crops of plants, of a o loss of topsoil and erosion because the plants have been removed
single species (Figure 49), in large areas for many consecutive years e.g. (Figure 50)
maize, wheat, carrots, fruit trees etc. o increased growth of unpalatable species grazers selectively remove
the palatable species
o topsoil is washed in dams and rivers causing silting

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 other aquatic organisms. Birds that prey on these die as well. This also
reduces food supplies for humans.

Figure 50: Eroded topsoil caused by overgrazing, drought and floods in

farmlands near Cradock in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa Figure 51: Poisons are unbelievably destructive to wildlife and our shared
environment. Raptors that eat rodents die by secondary poisoning.
The use of fertilisers
o Artificial fertilisers are industrially manufactured and contain nitrates,
Activity 3: Food security
phosphates and potassium to increase crop yields and quality and
reduce growing time. Read the following and then answer the questions below.
o They are expensive and drive up the cost of food production thereby
lowering food security. The multinational companies controlling agricultural economics:

The use of pesticides impoverish farmers who are forced to buy seed, pesticides, fertilisers and
even farming equipment from them at high costs.
o Currently, over a third of our global food crops are lost to pests.
Farmers use large quantities of chemical pesticides to control them. do not allow independent research, in order to protect their profits.
Examples of pests are: control most GMO seed rights with patents. Farmers who traditionally saved
microorganisms, which cause diseases such as rust and blight their seed for replanting or exchanging with other farmers are no longer
allowed to do so. The control and ownership of seeds - in the case of GM
insects such as aphids, beetles, caterpillars and locusts
maize, GM soya and GM cotton in South Africa - passes entirely to
rodents such as rabbits, rats and mice multinational corporations that hold the patents, such as Monsanto (German
o Chemical pesticides are toxic to the environment and useful species and American) and Syngenta (American and Chinese). This undermines
are affected as well as the pests they target. farmers rights, and places control outside the country.

o Concentrations of toxins accumulate (build up) in the food chain: e.g. the costs of genetic modification increases food prices which negatively
an owl that eats poisoned rats and mice will accumulate more poison impacts food security.
than the amount consumed by just one of its prey (Figure 51). This is Most South Africans are unaware that some of their staple foods are
called bio-accumulation of poisons. genetically modified.
o When heavy rains fall, pesticides are washed from sprayed crops, as
well as poisoned soil, into surface water bodies, which affects fish and by MultiWatch, Schwabe AG, 2016

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Loss of biodiversity

Introduction

Biodiversity refers to the variety of all living organisms on Earth. Loss of biodiversity
is the most damaging impact humans have on the environment.

Biodiversity is important becaus

good quality fresh water and air quality

climate stabilisation
healthy quality soil formation
pollination and natural seed dispersal
natural fuel and food from the environment
natural pest control with predators
Figure 52: European farmers and public protest against Monsanto and healthcare from medicinal plants and microbes
Syngenta controlling food seeds
ecotourism and recreation in nature

1. Describe what is meant by the following terms: (4) Key terminology

a) Genetically modified organism (GMO) extinction when a species has completely died out
maintain provide for, or enable, life to keep stable and existing
b) food security
diversity a wide range of different things
2. Name three genetically modified crops grown in South Africa. (3)
biodiversity the variety of all living organisms on Earth
3. Discuss three ways in which genetically modified seed companies negatively
impact on impoverished farmers. (3) large community of plants and animals occupying a region with
biome
distinct climate conditions, e.g. grassland, desert, tundra..
4. The extract above describes only the negative impacts of genetically modified
predators organisms that capture and feed off other organisms (prey)
crops. Describe how food security is positively affected by genetic
modification of crops. (3) place where organisms live, including all living and nonliving
habitat
factors or conditions of the surrounding environment.
5. How do GM seeds affect the gene pool and biodiversity? (2)
urbanisation the increasing development of towns and cities
(15)
migration long-distance movement of organisms, often seasonal
sustainable enabling or maintaining growth without depleting resources
invasion rapidly spreading and taking over an area

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Factors that reduce biodiversity

The following factors contribute to reducing biodiversity:

Habitat destruction through:

o farming methods

o golf estates

o mining

o urbanization

o deforestation

o loss of wetlands and grasslands

Figure 53: Overgrazing stripping the land of ground covering vegetation

Alien plant invasions Golf estates

Luxury golf estate developments (Figure 54) are increasing in South Africa. Most
Habitat destruction golf estates are built in ecologically sensitive areas with high natural biodiversity
which is destroyed by:
Habitat destruction occurs through:
o construction of building high density housing on the estates; indigenous bush
Farming methods (overgrazing and monoculture) and trees are cleared and dependent animal and bird life affected
Overstocking livestock and overgrazing pastures (Figure 64) for too long in one o the same pollution impacts as for urban town-housing, with the same negative
area results in: effects on birds, predators and water bodies
o private gardens on the estate increasing the threat of alien invasive species
o soil contamination from excessive dung and urine
o golf fairways that represent monoculture on a huge scale, e.g. alien kikuyu
o soil erosion grass, requiring pesticides, fertilisers and huge amounts of water
o makes way for alien plants to take over
o reduces the diversity of vegetation leading to land degradation and
o desertification
Growing large quantities of these single type crops (monoculture) year after year
leads to:
o loss of indigenous species and biodiversity
o specific insects overbreeding and feeding on these crops
o environmental pollution is caused by pesticides and fertilisers
o poisoning and eutrophication of nearby water supplies

Figure 54: Luxury golf estate

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Mining
Both surface (open-cast) mining and underground mining destroys habitats and
negatively affects biodiversity in many ways:
o Open-cast (surface) mines (Figure 55) take up more space and generate
noise and dust pollution

Figure 56: Urban sprawl

The urban sprawl of informal settlements and high density, low cost housing
alters the landscape permanently; more open areas are needed to redevelop
biodiversity.

Figure 55: Open cast mining destroys biodiversity of large areas of land Deforestation

o When vegetation and topsoil are removed for surface mining, animal and Deforestation is the large-scale removal of indigenous trees. Forests cover less
plant habitats are destroyed than 1% of South Africa s land area (Figure 57) but account for a large part of our
o All mines produce tons of gas emissions, solid waste, liquid effluent (waste or biodiversity. The destruction of woodlands and indigenous forested areas for the
sewage) and some result in acid mine drainage. These poison underground purposes of timber, agriculture, fuel supplies and other human activities leads to:
water supplies and seep into river systems o the destruction of habitats for insects, especially pollinators such as bees, and
o Huge mining trucks destroy vegetation and compact soil reducing the amphibians, e.g. frogs. Other larger dependent species are in turn affected
drainage ability. Generally mining exposes topsoil to erosion and degradation o the loss of many medicinal and food plant species

Urbanisation (Figure 56)

As the population increases and cities grow, more indigenous vegetation is
cleared to build more industries, road networks and high density housing.
This negatively impacts biodiversity by increasing:
o all types of pollution - air, land, water, noise and light
o physical barriers to animal migration and reproduction patterns
o rainwater run off causing flooding
o bioaccumulation of poisons
o the growth of alien vegetation

Figure 57: How little of South Africa is forested seen from space

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Loss of wetlands and grasslands
Wetlands
Wetlands (Figure 58) are the habitats of a rich biodiversity of plants of animals.
South Africa being arid has few wetland areas. Any pollution or removal of
wetlands for development threatens:
o the biodiversity of soils and vegetation (including useful and medicinal plants)
associated with wetlands
o the capacity for freshwater purification and storage, erosion and flood control
o the habitats of fish and other aquatic animals
o tourism, recreation, wildlife and bird conservation Figure 59: Nesting blue crane (SA national bird) at home in grasslands

Poaching

Poaching is the illegal hunting or collecting of species (animal or plant) either for
food or money. Relentless removal of any species negatively affects all other
species that interact with and depend on them for survival. This results in loss of
biodiversity.
Culling is the careful and legal control of animal numbers to protect biodiversity..

In South Africa, abalone, rhino and elephants are examples of animals that are
poached often only for a small body part:
Abalone ( Figure 60)
Figure 58: Grasslands and wetlands of the inland Okavango Delta
This sea snail, is a great delicacy in Asia and has a high market value.
are rich in diverse species of plants and animals
Abalone take 7 years to mature before they can reproduce, and as a result of
overharvesting they are a declining population. Illegal poaching and trading in
Grasslands abalone affects marine biodiversity.

As natural grazing areas, grasslands support a rich biodiversity of wild animals

and bird species. If these habitats are removed, eroded or polluted we will lose:
o several endangered and threatened species which survive on grass seeds,
worms and insects that populate the grasslands, e.g. South Africa s national
bird, the blue crane, which lives in the grasslands (Figure 59)
o many useful and medicinal plants
o ecotourism opportunities such as hiking trails
o flood control and water filtering capacities of grasslands

Figure 60: Shucked abalone removed from their shells

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Rhino Bushmeat
Rhinos are illegally killed for their horns (Figure 61) that consist of keratin, the Traditionally African hunters depended on bushmeat for food. As hunting
same substance that makes up hair, nails or claws, in all mammals. equipment upgraded to automatic weapons, and roads were built into wild
Asian buyers are willing to pay large sums for the horn which they believe has areas to enable the logging trade, hunters could kill and export more game for
healing and sexual properties. On average 3 rhinos are poached every day in commercial gain. Protected animals such as gorillas and chimpanzees are
South Africa. They will be extinct in the wild before 2030. endangered and the biodiversity of their habitats is threatened. The animals
are being killed faster than natural populations can replace them.

Alien plant invasions

Alien plants outcompete natural vegetation. They spread quickly and become the
dominant vegetation, leading to a loss of biodiversity.

Factors that reduce the loss of biodiversity

Loss of biodiversity can be reduced by controlling alien invaders and the sustainable
Figure 61: A rhino with its magnificent horn, before it is cut off to discourage use of the environment.
poachers from killing it.

Elephants
Elephants are poached for their tusks for the ivory trade in ornaments and
jewellery, particularly for Asian markets. Elephants have a great impact on
biodiversity which is damaged by poaching:

Figure 64: Even two monocultures grown side by side can improve biodiversity
Figure 62: Elephant clearing Figure 63: Elephant digging for
trees, creating grasslands water in dry riverbed

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Control of alien plant invasions

Alien plants are removed:

mechanically
o by hand or machine to chop down plants
o this is effective but expensive and time consuming.
chemically
o by spraying or injecting plants with herbicides
o this is also expensive and risky as it can pollute land or water, killing
many other species of plants and animals
biologically
o by introducing natural enemies of the alien invaders as control agents:
e.g. wasps that form galls on Port Jackson willows (Figure 65) or fungi Figure 66: Sangomas remove strips of bark for medicinal purposes tribal chiefs
that form galls preventing black wattle from reproducing imposed strict rules which prevented plants from being damaged by bark stripping
o this the easier and more affordable option but may also be risky if the
natural enemies multiply unchecked and attack indigenous species

Useful indigenous plants impact biodiversity

Some useful indigenous plants that have economic value are at risk of
overexploitation unless they are carefully managed and harvesting is legislated:

Fynbos
Nearly 2000 fynbos plants are threatened with extinction.
o increasing wild fires are destroying the biodiversity of fynbos
o worldwide demand for fynbos wildflower species (especially proteas) is also
putting these plants habitats under pressure
Figure 65: Fungal gall on black wattle
Rooibos (Figure 67 and 68)
Rooibos tea is celebrated for its antioxidant and medicinal properties including
Sustainable use of the environment protection again cancer, strengthening bones, relieving stress and colic.

Sustainable use means managing and using resources so that future generations o Global demand for rooibos tea means that more land is needed for growing
will still be able to use those resources. the bushes. Rooibos plantations are now encroaching on wild fynbos lands
and impacting on the biodiversity of those species.
Traditional healers can be encouraged to grow medicinal plants
o Farmers need to manage the plantations carefully to ensure that indigenous
Rural unemployed people especially women can be taught to harvest wild
fauna and flora can live in corridors in between the plantations, so as not to
plants responsibly
destroy the rich biodiversity of the fynbos.

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African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea)

African potato is a perennial, grassland plant with long narrow leaves and yellow
star shaped flowers (Figure 70). It is used for treating TB, HIV, diabetes,
rheumatoid arthritis, cancers and urinary tract infections
o In many areas, harvesting the corns has led to a massive reduction of this
wild plant population and destruction of its habitats. As the popularity and
fame of the African potato increases, so the government will have to develop
more sustainable ways of managing and harvesting it.
o Some indigenous and medicinal plant nurseries are growing and trading with
African potato plants already.

Hoodia gordonii
Figure 67: Rooibos growing Figure 68: Processing of rooibos tealeaves Hoodia is a spiny succulent (Figure 71) which has been used generations of
Khoisan people as an appetite and thirst quencher in the dry desert regions of the
country. It is now marketed worldwide as an appetite suppressant and slimming
(Harpagophytum procumbens) agent.

Devil s claw is the hooked shaped fruit (Figures 69) which grows in the arid sandy o It is a protected plant which may not be harvested in the wild, but thousands
parts of southern Africa. Tons are exported yearly as a treatment for back pain, of tons have been harvested illegally and shipped out of the country.
fever and arthritis o This threatens the rights of the Khoisan to an income from the plants, as well
as the sustainable harvesting of the plants.
o The current demand on wild Devil's claw is unsustainable as the plant has to
grow for four years before it can be harvested.
o It is listed as a protected plant and may not be harvested in the wild unless
the harvester has a permit and training in sustainable harvesting.
o Devil s claw plants are now being cultivated for trade on a large commercial
scale in an attempt to protect the species.

Figure 69: Khoisan Figure 70: African Figure 71: Hoodia

man with devil s potato plant with yellow gordonii with yellow
claw fruit flower flowers

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Activity 4: Biodiversity
Solid waste disposal
In the early 1800s there were more than a million wild rhinos worldwide. In 2018
there were less than 20 000 rhinos in the wild.
Waste is material that is of no use to humans anymore. It needs to be disposed of in
a safe and environmentally friendly way. Waste can be solid, liquid or gas. In this
section we learn about the impact of solid waste on our environment.

Figure 72: Our green world is being smothered by Figure 73: Overflowing
solid waste rubbish bins

Key terminology
1. a) How many rhinos have been lost worldwide over the years from the early
1800s until 2018? Show your calculations. (2) bio- organic matter that can decompose or breakdown by bacteria or
degradable other living organisms and avoid pollution
b) Calculate the average number of rhinos lost per year over the 10 year
hazardous extremely dangerous
period from 2007 to 2016. Show your calculations. (3)
having or producing radiant energy that comes from breaking up of
c) If rhinos continue to be killed at the same rate as calculated in 1.b), how radioactive
atoms
long will it be (in years more or less) before they are extinct. Show your
energy produced when the nucleus of an atom is divided or joined
calculations. (3) nuclear
to another nucleus
2. Explain why it is important to protect rhinos from extinction. (2)
landfill an excavated dumpsite which can be filled with rubbish
3. Give two suggestions of what can be done to prevent rhino poaching? (2) water that has filtered through solids and leached out some of the
leachate
(12) dissolved or broken down parts of the solids
rehabilitate return something to its former or original good condition
bio- use of biological agents, such as bacteria, fungi, or green plants,
remediation to remove or neutralize pollutants in soil or water
nuclear a structure in which controlled nuclear reactions can occur to
reactor release energy

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ground
The need to reduce solid waste or find ways of managing it level chimney

Burying solid waste in landfills is becoming a big problem:

Landfill or dumpsites can be unsightly, toxic, smell bad, be flammable and
cause air pollution.
Vermin (e.g. rats) and flies which can carry diseases breed in dumpsites.
layers of
Toxins can leach from the site into underground water or nearby rivers and solid waste
sand
dams. layers

toxic fluids

Figure 76: Diagram of landfill structure

Using methane from dumpsites for heat and lighting

Solid waste is compacted and sealed in landfills. The moisture content and
temperatures in landfills is high which perfectly suits the development of
anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria decompose (and reduce) the waste and
Figure 74: Landfill dumpsites are Figure 75: Chemical waste in drums is
produce methane which stays trapped in the fill.
unsightly and smell disgusting hazardous if not sealed properly
Wells are then sunk into the landfill to tap off the methane in pipes. The pipes
link to an underground mains which collects the methane. This is then
Aspects of solid-waste disposal extracted and burned to generate electricity (Figure 77).
Burning methane does not emit toxins. The electricity generated can be fed
Management and rehabilitation of dumpsites into local power stations as a clean source of energy. From Waste-to-Energy!

Landfill or dumpsites are usually large excavated holes, eroded dongas or

disused quarries or mines, where solid waste is dumped.
Properly managed landfills are lined to isolate the dumped waste from ground
water supplies so that toxic leachate does not cause contamination.
Decomposition occurs anaerobically in a sealed and capped landfill and the
resulting methane stays trapped unless it is tapped for use.
Landfill sites can be rehabilitated to prevent soil and water pollution by:
o planting species that absorb and detoxify contaminants in the soil, water,
sediments or air surrounding landfills. This is called bioremediation.
o developing parks or public use areas over landfills with planted
vegetation, preferably trees, to stabilise the ground beneath
Figure 77: A sealed landfill with biogas piping and a rubbish skip container

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The need for recycling Nuclear waste is disposed of by burying it deep under the earth or ocean in
thick concrete or lead containers. South Africa's nuclear waste from Koeberg
(western Cape) and Pelindaba (Gauteng) are handled in this way.
Recycling is the conversion of waste into useful material
Recycling is important because it: Nuclear waste is not biodegradable so ways must be found that reduce the
risks of these deadly emissions.
reduces air, land and water pollution
reduces the use of raw materials and saves energy Activity 5: Solid waste disposal
reduces waste
1. Name any three problems that can occur when dumpsites are not managed
provides employment properly. (3)
2. In well managed landfills what prevents toxic leachate from polluting ground
water? (1)
3. Name three things you can do to reduce your solid waste? (3)
4. How can solid waste landfills be used to provide energy? (6)
(13)

Figure 78: Recycling by sorting waste into separate containers.

The need for safe disposal of nuclear waste

Nuclear waste is very toxic and is a threat to human health and the environment.

Figure 79: Hazardous (dangerous) waste should always be signposted and

separated from general waste.

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1.1.3 Which of the following represents one advantage and one

Human impact on the environment: End of topic exercises disadvantage of genetic engineering in developing desirable
products?
Section A
Question 1 Advantage Disadvantage
A Increased rate of production Cost of development is high
1.1 Various possible answers are provided to the following questions. Choose Possible release of GMO into
the correct answer and write only the letter next to the question number. B Cost of development is high
the environment
1.1.1 Rising temperatures on Earth have led to the melting of ice in C Increased range of products Increased rate of production
glaciers. The graph shows the measured changes in the size of an D Increased rate of production Increased range of products
area covered with ice in the Arctic region between 1978 and 2006.
1.1.4 The sector that uses the most water in South Africa is?
Size of Arctic area covered with ice between 1978 and 2006
A Agriculture and forestry
B Mining
C Domestic
D Industry
1.1.5 Nuclear waste is...

A disposed of in desert dumpsites

B radioactive and hazardous
C used to generate methane gas
D destroyed by salt water
(5 × 2) = (10)
1.2 Give the correct term for each of the following descriptions.
1.2.1 The average weather conditions of a large area over a long period of
time
1.2.2 The overall increase in temperature worldwide due to the Enhanced
1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 Greenhouse effect?
Year 1.2.3 An ecological body or natural system which absorbs carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere.
What is the difference between the size of the area covered with ice in 1978
1.2.4 Treaty signed at the first International conference to formulate
and the size of the area covered with ice in 1998? strategies to manage risk and effects of climate change.
A 1,3 1.2.5 Chemically corrosive and contaminated waste water from mining.
B 7,2 1.2.6 Pollution that is the result of warm or very hot water waste pumped
C 0,7 into water bodies.
D 5,9 1.2.7 Algal bloom due to increase of nitrates and phosphates in water
bodies.
1.1.2 Which of the following is a source of CO2? 1.2.8 Waste water and excrement.
1.2.9 The variety of all living organisms on Earth
A Process of photosynthesis
.
B Refrigeration
C Process of respiration (9 × 1) = (9)
D Aerosol

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