SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Recognise and identify the basic functions of the ecological environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116064  Recognise and identify the basic functions of the ecological environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Primary Agriculture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic functions of the environment by recognising patterns and processes, knowing local resources and basic sustainable agricultural processes using environmental indicators.

Competent learners will understand the environmental context of sustainable agricultural production. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is expected of the learner attempting this unit standard to demonstrate competence against the unit standard:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of sustainable farming systems. - (NQF 1) or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Range statements are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Recognise patterns and processes of the environment and how they relate to the sustainable utilisation of agricultural land. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Patterns of the environment include rainfall, climate, dry cycles, original vegetation, seasons, movement patterns of animals, etc. Processes of the biophysical environment include the interaction and the relationship between food webs, human activities, soil, climate, water, plants, animals and solar energy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Rainfall patterns and distribution are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The broad distribution of the fauna and flora in South Africa in both the past and the present is explained, and the concept of ecosystems is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relationship between climate, soil and indigenous vegetation is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods of generating alternative energy are understood. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of natural resources and recognise their limitations within the agricultural environment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Natural resources include renewable and non-renewable, living and non-living resources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Natural resources and their uses are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different waste resources are identified and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Waste resources include but are not limited to materials and by-products that can be reduced, reused or recycled.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Different energy resources and alternative energy resources (renewable) are identified and different uses and applications are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of sustainable agricultural principles. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Basic sustainable agricultural principles relate to farming systems (with social, economic and environmental aspects), soil, climate, water and flora and fauna and the preservation thereof. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Basic preparation and application of natural fertilizers are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Basic methods of natural pest control are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Basic soil conservation methods are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Basic crop rotation methods are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Recognise environmental degradation indicators. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Soil, vegetation, plants and noxious weeds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Soil erosion is recognised. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Basic signs of land degradation are recognised. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Invasive species are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Basic pollution symptoms are recognised. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established assessment principles.

    It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the qualifying learners are working. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment, formative and summative assessment, portfolios and observations etc.

    The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes; critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are assessed.

    The specific outcomes must be assessed through observation of performance. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

    Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in its own right, through oral or written evidence and cannot be assessed only by being observed.

    The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a qualifying learner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, then they should not be assessed as competent.

    Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

    Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The person is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of:
  • Patterns and processes of the environment.
  • Resource availability and limitations.
  • Basic sustainable agricultural principles.
  • Environmental indicators.
  • Basic soil types and their features i.e. clay, sand, loam and its distribution.
  • Basic weather patterns i.e. summer, winter, basic clouds and energy/ carbon/ hydrological/ oxygen cycles.
  • Basic water cycle and water management.
  • Basic veld types i.e. savanna, fynbos, forest, Karoo and links to weather patterns.
  • Basic ecosystems, their distribution and links to the rest of the environment i.e. wetlands, grasslands, mountains.
  • Needs for wild life corridors, their functions and possible areas for corridors.
  • Basic natural resources (water, soil, veld, energy, heat) their limitations and sustainable uses.
  • Use of basic waste as a resource i.e. types for erosion control, trench gardening.
  • Basic alternative energies i.e. wind, sun, gravity and some of their uses.
  • Basic biological pest control methods, identification and protection of predator insects, and where to access biological control agents.
  • Basic preparation and application of natural fertilisers.
  • Basic soil conservation and crop rotation methods.
  • Basic environmental indicators such as soil erosion, basic signs of land degradation.
  • Invasive species.
  • Pollution and pollution systems i.e. industry pollutants (ozone), farm pollutants i.e. dairies, etc. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: Relates to specific outcome:
  • Recognise environmental degradation indicators. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The world as a set of related systems: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  48976   National Certificate: Animal Production  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Fundamental  48977   National Certificate: Mixed Farming Systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Fundamental  48975   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Elective  49556   National Certificate: Development Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 
    Elective  49605   National Certificate: Environmental Practice  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. A4 Consultancy CC 
    2. Amabamba Recruitment 
    3. AVAX SA 481 CC. T/A Mandisa Development Services 
    4. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    5. Boikgantsho Consulting & Events 
    6. Boland Agri Training & Community Development Centre 
    7. Buena Vista Learning Academy 
    8. Bull's Business and Skills Training Institute 
    9. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    10. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    11. Dee's Training (PTY) LTD 
    12. Dihwai Food Cultural and Agricultural Services 
    13. Edutraining Business College 
    14. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    15. Escay Catering and other Services 
    16. Faranang Marketing 
    17. Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa 
    18. Ghoenas Kraal Opleiding Sentrum 
    19. Goldfields FET College 
    20. Growth Management Consulting 
    21. HDPSA 
    22. Heedmorine Training 
    23. Hungweni Trading Cc 
    24. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    25. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    26. Jobafrik Consulting 
    27. Josmap Training Institute 
    28. Kay Beez Development Projects 
    29. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    30. Kgopane Trading Enterprise 
    31. Kimbali Holdings 
    32. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    33. Knowledge For Ever 
    34. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    35. Limadi Industrial Projects 
    36. Maishamalema Development Training 
    37. Maleleza Farming Enterprise Pty Ltd 
    38. Mamuhle Academy 
    39. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    40. Marang Women in Agric and Development 
    41. Mathapuso Construction and Projects 
    42. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    43. Mazasa Management Consulting CC. 
    44. Mcebo Technologies 
    45. Mementos Training Pty Ltd 
    46. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    47. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    48. Montshepetsa Bosui Farming & Training Cnt 
    49. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    50. Mpontshe Training 
    51. Mthashana FET College - Vryheid Campus 
    52. Mvelo Consultant 
    53. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    54. National Woolgrowers Of South Africa 
    55. Ndwamato Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    56. Networx for Career Development 
    57. New Heights 1082 Pty Ltd 
    58. NFS Services (Pty) Ltd 
    59. Ngwato Wa Mphela Agriculture Training Services 
    60. Nkinane Trading Enterprise 
    61. NKQUBELA CONSULTING 
    62. Nokusho M Consulting and Trading 
    63. Nophelo Training Centre 
    64. Novi General Services 
    65. OMNI HR CONSULTING PTY LTD 
    66. Pebetse Training and Consulting 
    67. Petra Institute of Development 
    68. PFIM Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    69. Phill Skills and Development Institute 
    70. PMA Holdings (PTY ) LTD. 
    71. Reflections Development Institute 
    72. RLSTP Training & Development (PTY) LTD. 
    73. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    74. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    75. Setlakala Business Development 
    76. Simmek Holdings 
    77. Siyafundisa I Africa 
    78. Siyasanga Training Centre 
    79. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    80. Taletso FET College - Central Office 
    81. Thando Consulting Services 
    82. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    83. Thuto Boshwa Skills Development Services 
    84. TLD Consulting 
    85. TM Mashwara and Projects 
    86. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    87. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    88. Tripple R Training Provider 
    89. UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS EXCELLENCE(PTY)LTD 
    90. University of Limpopo 
    91. University of Venda 
    92. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    93. Westco Agri Training 
    94. Wildlife and Enviroment Society of South Africa 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.