SA Plant & Animal diversity (Gr10)

Question 1

What is meant by biodiversity?

Answer 1

it is the variety of living organisms (plants, animals and micro-organisms), the genetic differences among them and the variety of ecosystems in which they live

Question 2

Why is the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity of major global importance?

Answer 2

South Africa has only 2% of the earth’s total land surface but is ranked as the third most biologically diverse country in the world, containing between 100 000 and 1 000 000 species of organisms, of which many are endemic.

Question 3

Why is there such diversity in SA?

Answer 3

The wide diversity is due to variations in climate, geology, soils and landscape forms. In combination, these variations give rise to broad vegetation zones which, together with their associated animal life, are called biomes.

Question 4

Name 10 biomes found in SA?

Answer 4

Nama-Karoo, grassland, succulent Karoo, forest, savanna, fynbos, Albany thicket, desert and wetland biomes, also marine biome

Question 5

What do each biomes do?

Answer 5

Each of these supports its own collection of plant and animal species.

Question 6

What organisms are found in the Karoo biome

Answer 6

home to plants and animals well suited to hot, dry conditions such as the gemsbok and succulent plants

Question 7

What organisms are found in the Fynbos biome

Answer 7

home to a variety of plants that are suited to a Mediterranean climate and the poor soils of the south west Cape.
(like proteas & sugar birds)

Question 8

SA flora link to diversity?

Answer 8

1. South Africa’s high biodiversity is mainly due to the richness of its plant life.
2. The greatest plant diversity exists in the coastal provinces of Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Question 9

Where are most endemic plants in SA found?

Answer 9

Most plant endemics are found in biomes located only or largely in South Africa, namely fynbos, succulent Karoo, Nama-Karoo and Albany thicket.

Question 10

What sets SA apart from the world?

Answer 10

South Africa is the only country in the world to contain an entire plant kingdom - the Cape Floral Kingdom (found in the southern Cape)

Question 11

What makes the cape floral kingdom special?

Answer 11

It has the highest recorded species diversity for any similar-sized region in the world.

Question 12

Why is SA so diverse (fauna)? (2)

Answer 12

1. The animal diversity is high relative to the land surface area - South Africa has only 2% of the Earth’s land surface area.

Question 13

Why is the marine life in SA so diverse?

Answer 13

due to the extreme contrast between the water masses on the west, south and east coasts of southern Africa which experience different currents and water temperatures

Question 14

Describe reptiles in SA.

Answer 14

South Africa has approximately five times more reptile species than would be expected for a country this size. It has the third highest number of lizard species in the world

Question 15

Why does SA have a lot of bird diversity?

Answer 15

The diversity of birds is due to the wide range of available habitats, e.g. oceanic and coastal marine, freshwater pans and rivers, deserts, semi-deserts, fynbos, thicket, forest and savanna.

Question 16

Are SA’s mammals notable?

Answer 16

Yes. Probably the world’s most well-known mammals, the Big Six (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and whales) are found in South Africa.

Question 17

Are SA’s insects well-known?

Answer 17

No. South Africa has an estimated 50 000 species of invertebrates, eg insects that have not yet been described.

Question 18

What is special about the national flora and fauna?

Answer 18

South Africa’s national animals and plants are endemics.

Question 19

Name some interesting/well-known endemic SA fauna.

Answer 19

1. The Rinkhals or Spitting cobra
2. Rare geometric
   tortoise
3. Mammals include blesbok, bontebok, black wildebeest and Cape mountain zebra
4. Bird families - the sugarbirds and rock jumpers
5. More birds include the Blue crane, Jackass penguin, Cape vulture and the Cape parrot
6. The Knysna seahorse

Question 20

What are distributional maps?

Answer 20

Distributional maps Show where the various groups and species of plants and animals are to be found. These include general distribution, seasonal distribution as well as abundance.

Question 21

DM of sessile organisms:

Answer 21

e.g. plants and certain seaweeds, need only one map. This could be revised at intervals to show changes, presence or absence and sometimes abundance of a species.

Question 22

DM of motile organisms:

Answer 22

e.g. birds and
mammals, migrate. To get a true picture of their distribution, seasonal maps, showing presence or absence and, if possible, abundance would be needed. Are often of interest to animal behaviourists.

Question 23

Why are distributional maps becoming more important?

Answer 23

the distribution and abundance of organisms is changing; due to:
* large-scale landscape changes e.g. habitat loss, transformation, fragmentation and, in some cases, habitat creation climate change
* invasion by new species.

Question 24

Monitoring these distributional and abundance changes is vital for:

Answer 24

• making effective plans to manage the conservation of various populations and, in the process, biodiversity.
  recording the effects of global warming.

Question 25

Some projects producing distributional maps

Answer 25

• The Protea Atlas Project - recording distribution of proteas.
• Southern African Bird Atlas Projects recording distribution and abundance of birds.
• Southern African Frog Atlas Project - recording distribution and status of all frogs.

Question 26

Why are persistent species loosing genetic variation?

Answer 26

The species that persist are losing genetic variation as the number of individuals in populations shrinks, unique populations and subspecies are destroyed, and remaining populations become increasingly isolated from one another.

Question 27

What are the main threats to biodiversity in South Africa? (3)

Answer 27

1. Land transformation
2. Overexploitation of natural biological resources
3. Climate change

Question 28

The major threat to biodiversity loss is land transformation as:

Answer 28

It leads to habitat loss and land degradation.
Population growth increases demands for food, energy and other commodities so land is transformed.
To fulfil these human needs land has been transformed for:
* agriculture
* mining and industry
* development of cities
* roads.

Question 29

How does agriculture cause biodiversity loss?

Answer 29

Large areas of grassland and forest ecosystems (86% of the country) have been destroyed for crop production (wheat, maize, oats, sugar cane, canola, ete) and stock grazing. This obviously has resulted in biodiversity loss.

Question 30

Bad land-use practices have further reduced biodiversity. These practices include:
(first 3)

Answer 30

1. Monoculture (the practice of growing a single crop in a field or larger area which destroys all the natural flora and fauna leading to considerable loss of biodiversity.
   In order to feed growing populations monocultures have become common.
   These types of ecosystems are very unstable and susceptible to outbreaks of disease or pests.
2. Intensive use of agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) reduces biodiversity further by:
   ⁃ polluting nearby aquatic habitats from water run-off or seepage.
   ⁃ increasing the chance of exotic plant invasion as indigenous species numbers fall.
3. Expansion of farming into unsuitable areas.
   While this is done to meet the demand for food it is impractical and biologically destructive as it destroys fragile habitats and ecological processes which lead to additional biodiversity loss.

Question 31

Overgrazing occurs in virtually all South African hot spots, is a considerable threat to biodiversity because it causes:
(5)

Answer 31

⁃ a change in species composition by trampling and selective grazing, eg in the Succulent Karoo the succulent plants are heavily grazed, reducing the overall species diversity, and in the Albany thicket, heavy grazing has left fewer endemic succulent and geophyte species.

⁃ permanent loss of some species, eg the palatable annuals. Research has shown that once lost they do not regenerate.

⁃ an invasion of certain unpalatable annuals and invasive alien species, eg Ageratum species and Chromolaena odorata (triffid weed), which threaten the biodiversity of the savanna, grassland and forest margins.

⁃ a change in soil ammonia and nitrate content, due to the extra animal faeces and urine, and thus a change in diversity of the plants growing there.

⁃ extensive degradation of the natural grazing land with the risk of topsoil loss and accelerated desertification and the resultant reduction in biodiversity.

Question 32

The loss of biodiversity resulting from mining and industry is due to:
(3)

Answer 32

• clearing of vegetation for the construction of industrial infrastructure which causes habitat destruction and fragmentation.
• industrial waste and pollution which affects riparian habitats and the biota within rivers and
  nearby wetlands
• industrial emissions released into atmosphere which affect terrestrial and aquatic organisms receiving rain from the polluted atmosphere

Question 33

Development of cities negative effects:

Answer 33

Natural habitats and the biota they contained are destroyed when cities and housing schemes are built; eg in the Western Cape many wetlands have been filled in for housing.

Question 34

Define riparian and biota.

Answer 34

riparian = along or near river banks
biota = all organisms in a given area

Question 35

The negative effect is the urban, environmental pollution, both of soil and water is:

Answer 35

• alters the distribution of species and
  communities.
• affects the health of organisms resulting in some species becoming extinct, e.g. frogs in wetlands.

Question 36

Summary of effects of roads:

Answer 36

Both construction and upgrading of roads as well as vehicles on the roads affects biodiversity.
Construction and upgrading of roads land usage for road networks is extremely high.

Question 37

How biodiversity is affected by roads:
(4)

Answer 37

• large areas of the environment are being destroyed for the establishment of big quarries for stones and gravel for road building.
• vegetation being cleared and wildlife being displaced.
• weed species invading the disturbed area.
• animals not being able to cross highways due to large concrete barriers in the centre of the highways.

Question 38

How do the concrete barries on highways affect biodiversity:

Answer 38

This influences the genetic gene pool as the free flow of animals is restricted.
habitats being fragmented, e.g. roads crossing interconnected water-bodies and natural grasslands create a barrier to the migration of species and increase the risk of population decant and possible extinction

Question 39

Give an animal example that has suffered due to roads:

Answer 39

Giant Bullfrog which needs aquatic and terrestrial habitats in close proximity for breeding and for foraging has suffered major declines in population numbers due to fragmentation of its habitat

Question 40

Vehicles on roads
Traffic affects biodiversity negatively because it can result in:

Answer 40

• ‘road kill’ of for example tortoises, owls and mongooses.
  significant amounts of pollution. Toxic exhaust emissions and oil, grease and fuel spillages will threaten biota near roads and adjacent aquatic habitats.

Question 41

Overexploitation of natural biological resources:
(3)

Answer 41

1. Over-collection of medicinal plant products could lead to a loss of biodiversity.
2. Population growth increases the demand for these in the traditional medicine market.
   Vast quantities of an estimated 400 plant species are harvested
3. International and domestic demand for some species, often for illegal trade, could lead to their becoming endangered or extinct and affect the ecosystems they exist in.

Question 42

examples of illegal trade items

Answer 42

For example, perlemoen, certain types of plants (Hoodia sp), animal parts (rhino horns) and ornamental plants (cycads).

Question 43

plant species that are harvested in large quantities

Answer 43

particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, e.g. wild ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus) and the pepper-bark tree (Warburgia salutaris).

Question 44

A solution to overharvested plants:

Answer 44

Loss of biodiversity could be avoided if plans were to be put in place to replace these overharvested plants.

Question 45

Climate change, with land degradation, is the greatest threat to biodiversity. Why?
(3)

Answer 45

Each organism is adapted to a certain set of climatic conditions and when these conditions change, e.g. it gets warmer or colder or wetter, it could:
* bring about changes in distribution of species and communities.
* contribute to species extinctions.
* encourage the spread of alien organisms.

Question 46

With understanding each citizen should then become involved in playing role in:

Answer 46

• fixing or improving degraded habitats.
• preventing further loss of natural habitats.
• preventing overexploitation of biological resources.

Question 47

Many people think that biodiversity in South Africa only serves the interests of the elite and privileged and is concerned more about animals than people. Is this true?

Answer 47

Nothing could be further from the truth. Biodiversity is absolutely essential to the present and future survival of humankind as it forms the very basis for life on earth. It ensures that we have clean air, good soil, food, pest control, wood, decomposition of waste, recreation and pollination.

Question 48

Value of biodiversity to average SA citizen:

Answer 48

1. Tourism potential of biodiversity
2. Aesthetic value of biodiversity

Question 49

Eco-tourism in SA:

Answer 49

Currently most overseas tourists come to South Africa for the beauty of the environment (e.g. south-western Cape and the Garden Route) and to see animals (nearly two-thirds visit the better known game reserves). However, with its amazing biodiversity, South Africa has much more to offer tourists than just viewing beautiful scenery and the Big Five or Six.
Tourists should also be encouraged to come to see the great variety of smaller animal and plant species and enjoy the ecosystems in which they exist.

Question 50

Why is eco-tourism so beneficial?

Answer 50

Tourism based on biodiversity is non-consumptive, i.e. it does not use up resources. If properly managed, such tourism can play a vital role in conserving and, expanding biodiversity. Resources not used and biodiversity expanded.

Question 51

Two of South Africa’s eight Unesco World Heritage sites are natural sites with very high biodiversity.
These are the:

Answer 51

• Cape Floral Region
• iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Question 52

How is biodiversity being used as a tourist draw card?
(4)

Answer 52

• Theme-based packages which offer a range of choices such as
  whale-watching, photography,
  diving with sharks, spring wild-flower tours, bird-watching, etc.
  Avi-tourism or bird watching is becoming the second fastest-growing outdoor activity in the world. South Africa has more bird species than are found in the whole of North America which makes it a wonderful destination.
• Tours to threatened and/or unique ecosystems such as the Richtersveld or the Tankwa Karoo National Park with their rare and endangered plant species, rich endemic birdlife and amazing geological landscapes.
• Community-controlled ventures, eg hiking trails on the Wild Coast.
• Hunting packages. With fewer hunting opportunities in northern countries, Africa is being looked to for hunting experiences. The South African private sector has reacted to this need and in some areas farms are being amalgamated to form large hunting areas for the overseas and local hunters. Because these areas are not being conventionally farmed, various ecosystems are gradually being restored, increasing levels of biodiversity.

Question 53

How does biodiversity offer recreational, aesthetic and spiritual satisfaction?
(4)

Answer 53

South Africa offers:
* flower viewing and bird and game watching.
* photography, films or literature based on wildlife and the natural environment
* ecological field studies and other scientific pursuits.
* a source of spiritual upliftment and aesthetic enjoyment through the appreciation and contemplation of its beauty and peacefulness.