Strand 3

Topic 1

Environmental
Studies
 Strand 3
Topic 1
Unit 1

Environmental Studies
Biosphere

2
Terminology  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Ecology: Study of interactions between living organisms  Energy flow
and their environment.  Nutrient
cycles
• Ecosystem: All living organisms that live in an area and
the non-living environment.
• Environment: Surroundings of organisms
• Biosphere: Thin layer of land, air and water that supports
life
• Biome: Group of ecosystems with a similar climate and
communities of plants and animals

3
  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
 Energy flow
 Nutrient
cycles

4
Biosphere  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Consist of  Energy flow
• Atmosphere  Nutrient
• Lithosphere cycles

• Hydrosphere

5
Biosphere  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Atmosphere (gas that surround earth)  Energy flow
• 79% Nitrogen  Nutrient
• 20% oxygen cycles

• 0.03% Carbon dioxide

• 0.93% other gases

6
Biosphere  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Lithosphere (Land)  Energy flow
• Solid, rocky crust of earth  Nutrient
• Only topsoil supports life (plants/small animals) cycles

• Supply many micro- and macro- elements for plants to grow

7
Biosphere  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Hydrosphere (Water)  Energy flow
• All water on earth  Nutrient
• Fresh water (only 3%): Rivers, Dams, Lakes cycles

• Water cycle: movement of water through different phases

8
 Strand 3
Topic 1
Unit 2

Environmental
Studies
Biomes

9
Biomes  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Biome: Particular physical environment with specific  Energy flow
climate, plants (flora) and animals (fauna)  Nutrient
• Terrestrial biome: Plants and animals adapted to particular cycles
climate on land
• Aquatic biome: Plants and animals adapted to water of a
particular temperature and salinity.
• Climate: Rainfall and Temperature

10
Terrestrial Biomes of South Africa  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Fynbos  Energy flow
• Forest  Nutrient
cycles
• Grassland
• Savannah
• Thicket
• Nama Karoo
• Succulent Karoo
• Desert

11
Fynbos biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Location: South Western SA  Energy flow
• Climate: Winters – Cool and wet  Nutrient
cycles
Summers – Hot and Dry
• Flora: Protea, restio
• Fauna: Sugarbird, cape cobra

12
Forest biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Location: Small patches at high altitude  Energy flow
• Climate: High Rainfall, humid  Nutrient
cycles
Summers - Warm
Winters - Mild
• Flora: Moss and Ferns

• Fauna: Leopard, bushbuck

13
Grassland biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Location: Central SA  Energy flow
• Climate: Summers – Cool and Wet  Nutrient
cycles
Winter – Cold and Dry
• Flora: Tall grass and occasional tree
• Fauna: Blesbok, Black Wildebeest

14
Savannah biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Location: North-eastern parts of SA  Energy flow
 Nutrient
cycles
• Climate: Summer – Hot and Humid
Winter – Warm and Dry
• Flora: Maroela tree, Acacia Tree

• Fauna: Elephant, Rhino

15
Thicket biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Location: Coastal areas of Eastern Cape and KZN  Energy flow
• Climate: Summer – Warm and Humid  Nutrient
cycles
Winter - Mild
• Flora: Aloe and Grass
• Fauna: Elephant, Rhino, Kudu

16
Nama Karoo biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Location: Central plateau of Western Cape and Northern  Energy flow
Cape  Nutrient
cycles
• Climate: Summer – Very hot, very low rainfall
Winter – Cold and dry
• Flora: Succulents, Acacia Tree and low shrubs
• Fauna: Termites, tortoises

17
Succulent Karoo biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Location: Western parts of SA  Energy flow
• Climate: Summer – Hot and Dry  Nutrient
cycles
Winter – Cold, low rainfall
• Flora: Vygies, Tree aloe
• Fauna: Bat eared fox, barking gecko

18
Desert biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Location: North western SA, Namibia  Energy flow
• Climate: Summer – Very hot and Dry  Nutrient
cycles
Winter – Cold, low rainfall
• Flora: Succulents, Kokerboom
• Fauna: Gemsbok, desert rat

19
Aquatic Biomes  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Inland freshwater  Energy flow
• Coastal  Nutrient
cycles
• Marine

20
Inland Freshwater biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
• Linked to surrounding terrestrial biomes Abiotic
 Energy flow
• Run off rainwater form streams and rivers  Nutrient
cycles
• Trapped water form ponds and lakes
• Water is fresh
• Ramsar: wetlands Conservation organization
• E.g.
• Langebaan lagoon
• St. Lucia
• De hoop vlei
• Babersvlei

21
Inland Freshwater biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
Rivers and Streams  Energy flow
• Flows over land from catchment area (high) to sea (low).  Nutrient
cycles
• At source, High in O2, few plants
• Further down, current slows down, sand banks form, plants
can grow. Lower O2
• Plants and animals are adapted to O2 levels and rate of
water flow.
Lakes and Ponds
• Standing water ecosystems. Water flow in and out
• Circulating water distribute heat, O2 and nutrients 22
Inland Freshwater biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
Wetlands  Energy flow
• E.g. Lakes, ponds, marches, dams, swamps and vlei  Nutrient
cycles
• Functions
• Slows down flood waters
• Reduce erosion and filter water
• Trap sediment and nutrients
• Improve water quality
• Breeding ground
• Flora: Hydrophytes – bulrushes, grasses, reeds, water lilies
• Fauna: Insects, fish, amphibians etc.
23
Coastal biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Along SA’s coastline  Energy flow
• East coast: Warmer water, more diversity (crabs, corals, sponges  Nutrient
and tropical fish) cycles
• West coast: Colder water with more nutrients. More productive
plant plankton and fish.

24
Marine biome  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Deep ocean  Energy flow
• High Pressure, darkness and low temperature  Nutrient
cycles
• Low nutrient levels
• Flora: Phytoplankton (plant-based organism)
• Fauna: Many fish species – tuna and snoek
Marine mammals: whales and dolphins
Zooplankton (very small animals)

25
 Strand 3
Topic 1
Unit 3

Environmental Studies
Ecosystems

26
Ecosystems  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Ecosystem: the area in which living organisms interact with Energy flow
each other and their environment.  Nutrient
cycles
• Population: A group of organisms of the same species in a
particular area interacting.
• Community: A group of different organisms living and
interacting in a particular area.
• Habitat: The particular area where organisms are adapted
to living.
• Species: Group of organisms with similar characteristics and
can breed.
27
Ecosystems  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Abiotic factors: The non-living factors that influence the  Energy flow
environment (e.g. climate and soil)  Nutrient
cycles
• Biotic factors: Factors that arise from activities of living
organisms (e.g. predation and competition)

28
 Strand 3
Topic 1
Unit 4

Environmental Studies
Abiotic factors

29
Abiotic Factors  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
Can be classified into 3 broad categories  Energy flow
• Physiographic: Physical geography of area  Nutrient
cycles
• Edaphic: Conditions of soil
• Climatic: Temperature, rainfall etc.

30
Physiographic  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Aspect: The direction the area faces in relation to the sun.  Energy flow
E.g. North facing (to sun)is warm and dry  Nutrient
cycles
South facing is cold and damp
• Slope: Steep slope  increased erosion resulting in infertile
soil
• Altitude: Height above sea level.  Air pressure
 O2 content
 Temperature

31
Edaphic (soil)  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Important for plant growth.  Energy flow
• Provide water  Nutrient
• Minerals cycles

• Anchorage
• Study table 1 p146 – characteristics of soil
• pH
• Humus content
• Texture
• Air Content
• Water retention
• Soil depth
• Soil color 32
Edaphic (soil)  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Study table 1 p146 – characteristics of soil  Energy flow
• pH – Plants grow better in neutral soil  Nutrient
• Humus content (organic content) – High humus = more fertile cycles

• Texture – Sand, loam and clay

• Air Content – Air spaces contain important gases
• Water retention – Clay > loam > sand
• Soil depth – Half a meter under ground
• Soil color – Dark soil = more fertile

33
Edaphic (soil)  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
Sand Loam Clay  Biotic and
Abiotic
Texture Large particles Mixture of sand Tiny particles  Energy flow
Feels coarse when and clay particles Smooth and sticky  Nutrient
wet High Humus when wet cycles
content

Air content Big spaces; high air Medium spaces; Small spaces; low
content Right amount of air air content

Water Retention Low Moderate High

34
Climatic  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Light  Energy flow
• For photosynthesis  Nutrient
• Grow cycles dependant on seasonal changes cycles

• Sun plants vs shade plants

35
Climatic  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Temperature  Energy flow
• Affects Chemical reactions (i.e. metabolism)  Nutrient
• Plants and animals are adapted to certain temperature ranges cycles

36
Climatic  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Water  Energy flow
• About 70% of organisms mass  Nutrient
• Medium for metabolic reactions cycles

• Transport dissolved substances

• Maintain stable body temperature
• Plants and animals are indirectly adapted to water availability
• (Hydrophytes, mesophytes and xerophytes)
• Terrestrial plants and animals are under constant threat of
dehydration and desiccation

37
Climatic  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Atmospheric gases  Energy flow
• Atmosphere is a source of CO2 for plants (for photosynthesis)  Nutrient
• Plants produce food and put O2 into atmosphere (for respiration) cycles

• Traps heat to keep earth warm to sustain life

38
Climatic  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Wind  Energy flow
• Moving air on land heats up on a warm day. Warm air rises, pulling  Nutrient
in cool, moist air from water. cycles
• At night air over warm water rises, pulling in cool air from land.
• Greater wind at high altitudes. Which affect tree growth
• Wind assist in pollination, seed disposal and fruit dispersal
• Plant adaptation: Sunken stomata
Waxy cuticle
Needle shaped leaves etc.

39
 Strand 3
Topic 1
Unit 5

Environmental Studies
Biotic Factors

40
Interactions  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• 5 types of interactions occur between organisms in an  Energy flow
ecosystem  Nutrient
• Predation: Predators hunts, kills and eats prey. cycles

• Competition: Organisms compete for the same limited resource.

• Mutualism: Interaction between different species where both
individuals benefit.
• Commensalism: Interaction between different species where one
benefits and the other is not affected.
• Parasitism: Interactions where one organism (parasite) benefits
while the other organism (host) is harmed.

41
Feeding Relationships  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Producers (autotrophs): Plants produce food, for animals  Energy flow
during photosynthesis, from inorganic substances in the  Nutrient
presence of sunlight (energy) and chlorophyll. cycles

42
Feeding Relationships  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Consumers (heterotrophs): Organisms that rely on  Energy flow
producers and other consumers for energy. They can’t  Nutrient
make their own food. cycles

• Primary consumers: Herbivores that eat plants. E.g. Locusts,

zebras
• Secondary consumers: Carnivores/Omnivores that eat primary
consumers. E.g. Spiders, frogs
• Tertiary consumers: Carnivores that eat secondary consumers
E.g. Eagles, lions

43
Feeding Relationships  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Decomposers (saprophytes): Feed on dead organic matter.  Energy flow
• Breaks down organic matter, recycling the nutrients. E.g. Fungi  Nutrient
and bacteria cycles

44
Feeding Relationships  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
Nutrients in  Energy flow
ecosystem  Nutrient
cycles
Photosynthesis

Breakdown
Decomposers Producers

Breakdown Feeding

Consumers
45
Food chains and Food webs  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Food Chains: Shows the movement of energy from one  Energy flow
organism to the next.  Nutrient
• Arrow shows direction of energy movement cycles

• Food web is series of overlapping/linked food chains.

46
 Strand 3
Topic 1
Unit 6

Environmental Studies
Energy flow in ecosystems

47
Energy flow in ecosystems  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred.  Energy flow
• Energy is transferred from the sun → plants → herbivores  Nutrient
cycles
→ carnivores → decomposers
• Some energy is transferred to the environment as
• Heat energy (given off by metabolic reactions)
• Waste (excreted or defecated)
• As a result only about 10% of energy is transferred from
one level to the next.

48
Trophic levels  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Each step in a food chain is called a trophic level  Energy flow
• Because some energy is “lost” at each trophic level  Nutrient
cycles
• Food chains can’t go on indefinitely (it will run out of
energy to transfer)

49
Energy Pyramids  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
1) Pyramid of Numbers  Energy flow
a.  Nutrient
cycles

1 spotted eagle

10 Field Mice

200 grass plants

50
Energy Pyramids  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
1) Pyramid of numbers  Energy flow
b.  Nutrient
cycles

1 black eagle

2 Hornbills

1000 caterpillars

1 baobab tree
51
Energy Pyramids  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
2) Pyramid of biomass (weight of organisms)  Energy flow
 Nutrient
cycles

0.9kg black eagle

1.5kg Hornbills

6kg caterpillars

4000kg baobab tree

52
Energy Pyramids  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
3) Pyramid of energy  Energy flow
 Nutrient
cycles

Large fish - 24kJ /m2 per year

Small fish - 280kJ /m2 per year

Tadpoles - 6000kJ /m2 per year

Algae - 42000kJ /m2

per year 53
 Strand 3
Topic 1
Unit 7

Environmental Studies
Nutrient Cycles

54
Nutrient cycles  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• There is only a fixed amount of nutrient on earth  Energy flow
• These nutrients move through a cycle from one organism  Nutrient
cycles
to another.
• Decomposers break down organic matter and release
nutrients into the environment to be used again.
• Fig 1 p 154

55
Water cycle  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
1. Precipitation: Water from atmosphere move to Abiotic
earth’s surface through rain, snow, fog etc.  Energy flow
 Nutrient
2. Infiltration: Water percolates (gradually filter) cycles
through topsoil into water table
3. Run-off: Water that flow away to rivers, lakes,
ocean
4. Collection: Water collect in dam, lake, ocean 1 8
5. Capillary water: Water between soil particles
absorbed by plants
7
6. Evaporation: Water from earth to atmosphere
7. Transpiration: Plants losing water through 6
stomata 2 3 5
8. Condensation: (cloud formation): Water in
atmosphere condense to form clouds 4
56
Oxygen cycle  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
• Movement of Oxygen between Lithosphere (ground), Abiotic
 Energy flow
atmosphere (air) and biosphere (oceans, plants, animals)
 Nutrient
• Earth’s oxygen is contained cycles
• 99,5% in Lithosphere
• 0,49% in Atmosphere
• Only 0,01% in biosphere
• Most oxygen isn’t accessible to living organisms
• Increase O2 in atmosphere
• Photosynthesis drives oxygen cycle (CO2 → O2)
• Photolysis (UV radiation breaks down H2O in air to form 2H2 + O2)
• Decrease O2 in atmosphere
• Respiration consumes oxygen (O2 → CO2)
• Weathering of rocks and formation of rust 57
Carbon cycle  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
• Carbon forms the backbone of organic compounds Abiotic
 Energy flow
(Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats)  Nutrient
• Main sources of Carbon in cycles
• Atmosphere: CO2
• Water: carbonic acid
• Soil: Coal, Oil and calcium carbonate
• Decrease CO2 in atmosphere
• Photosynthesis converts CO2 to O2 + Glucose
• Increase CO2 in atmosphere
• Decomposition
• Combustion
• Respiration
58
Carbon cycle  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
Complex Organic  Biotic and
Glucose in Anabolism Abiotic
compounds in
Green Plants Plants  Energy flow
 Nutrient
cycles
Decomposition

Decomposition
Combustion

Combustion
Respiration

Respiration
Coal and
Oil

CO2 in Combustion
Atmosphere
Decomposition
Combustion
Respiration

Food for Animals Carbon Food for Animals

Compounds in
59
Animals
Nitrogen cycle  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Nitrogen must be changed into Nitrates, to make proteins in  Energy flow
plants.  Nutrient
• Nitrogen Fixing: Nitrogen fixing bacteria use Nitrogen gas in the air cycles
to make Plant proteins.
• Decomposition: Decomposition bacteria breaks down dead
organisms to form ammonia (NH3)
• Nitrification: Nitrifying bacteria convert Ammonia into Nitrites
then to Nitrates
• De-Nitrification: Denitrifying bacteria convert Ammonia, Nitrites
and Nitrates to free Nitrogen Gas

60
Nitrogen cycle  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
 Energy flow
 Nutrient
cycles

61
 Strand 3
Topic 1
Unit 8

Environmental Studies
Human Activities

62
Negative impact on the environment  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
Habitat Destruction  Energy flow
• Humans clear land to grow food  Nutrient
cycles
• Monocultures: Growing the same crops each year
• Ideal conditions for pests
• Increased use of pesticides
• Pesticides also kill the useful insects
• Results in loss of biodiversity

63
Negative impact on the environment  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
Exploitation of indigenous plants  Energy flow
• Incorrect harvesting of plants lead to extinction  Nutrient
cycles
• Some are used for medicinal use

64
Negative impact on the environment  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
Air Pollution  Energy flow
• Cars and factories release harmful gases  Nutrient
cycles
• Burning of fossil fuels contributes majorly to air pollution
• Increase in green house gases cause an increase in global
warming

65
Negative impact on the environment  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
Water Pollution  Energy flow
• Fertilisers and pesticides drain into rivers and streams  Nutrient
cycles
• Sewage and
• Industrial pollutants are pumped into rivers
• Oil spills in the ocean cause harm to marine organisms

66
Conservation of Natural resources  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
Abiotic
• Def: Regulation of human use the biosphere as to  Energy flow
continue to produce sustainable benefits  Nutrient
cycles

67
Ecotourism  Biosphere
 Biomes
 Ecosystems
 Biotic and
• When, mainly foreigners, visit exotic natural Abiotic
 Energy flow
environments.  Nutrient
• E.g. Kruger National Park cycles

• Positives
• Creates jobs: 1 Job for every 12 tourists
• Support conservation efforts
• Is sustainable if relationship between locals, tourists and
government is maintained
• Negatives
• Increase solid waste production
• Deforestation
• Habitat destruction
68