EGS Pippin 8. Degradation in Biomes of SA

Question 1

Particular Areas of concern

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Answer 1

(1) Steep slopes of eastern escarpment

(2) Communal areas of former Ciskei, Transkei & KZN

(3) Communal areas hardest hit

(4) Commercial areas of Northern Cape, Little Karoo & Western Cape

(5) Loss of plant cover greatest in Grasslands, & high rainfall areas of East of SA, and Savanna biome in NE.

Question 2

Perceived causes:

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

Answer 2

(1) No government scheme/sponsorship to clear aliens

(2) Incorrect burning practices

(3) Removal of plants for traditional medicines & fuel wood

(4) Increases in stock numbers because of an increase in human population

(5) Historical impacts of overgrazing impossible to restore

(6) The communal system of land tenure was frequently raised as a stumbling block in the rehabilitation of degraded grazing areas

Question 3

Misconceptions/Debates

(4) Human Population Growth:
* P1
* P2
* P3
* P4

(6) Communal system of land tenure:
* P1
* P2
* P3
* P4
* P6
* P7

Answer 3

(4) Human Population Growth:
- Malthusian thinking
- Overlooks technological advances
- Assumes population is limited by land and resources
- Issue is more distribution and access

(6) Communal system of Land Tenure:
- Has been proven false

• Tenure security argued central to sustainable farming.
• This view rests on some assumptions:
• Indigenous land tenure is static – evidence shows otherwise
• Farmers feel insecure and don’t invest
• Group owned land cannot result in conservation (the difference between common property and free access)
• Substantial investments are necessary to counter degradation

Question 4

Fynbos & Degradation:

(1)
(2)
(3)

Answer 4

1. Cultivation (particularly affects Renosterveld and Strandveld)
2. Invasive aliens → acacias in sandy Cape Flats
3. Afforestation

Question 5

The Arid Zone & Degradation - Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo, Desert

• P1
• P2
• P3
• P4
• P5

Answer 5

• History of heavy land use (Khoi, small livestock farmers)
• Colonial settlers (1700-1900)
  
  • reduced indigenous browsers → bush encroachment?
  • intensified pastoralism and crop farming (used boreholes)
  • Expanding Karoo debate (Acocks)