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: 

Monitor natural resource management practices 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116263  Monitor natural resource management practices 
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 3  NQF Level 03  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 
A learner achieving this unit standard will be able to explain the importance of maintaining and increasing of natural resources. Furthermore, the learner will be able to incorporate this understanding into existing farming activities by monitoring practices to conserve the environment, including natural resources, thereby ensuring optimal use of natural resources on the farm.

Competent learners will be conversant with agricultural regulations and aspects of conservation so that environmentally sound agricultural practices will be applied.

Learners will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural practices as applied in the animal-, plant and mixed farming sub fields. This unit standard focuses on the application of natural resource management in primary agriculture.

They will be able to participate in, undertake and plan farming practices with knowledge of their environment. This unit standard will instil a culture of maintenance and care for both the environment as well as towards farming infrastructure and operations. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner attempting this unit standard will show competence against the following unit standards or equivalent:
  • NQF 2: Apply sustainable farming practices to conserve the ecological environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Whilst range statements have been defined generically to include as wide a set of alternatives as possible, all range statements should be interpreted within the specific context of application.

    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 
    Know and monitor the occurrence of key types of fauna and flora and their environmental requirements. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Fauna and flora include all harmful and useful fauna and flora on the farm and direct vicinity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The uses and impacts of animals in different vegetation types are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The utilisation patterns of different animals are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effects of farming activities on the habitat of fauna and flora are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Decreases and increases of the fauna and flora are recorded. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Suitable solutions to counteract the decreases and increases from a limited range of options are selected. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of an ecosystem and a food chain. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    "Ecosystem" includes but is not limited to energy flows, water cycle, climate, soil, fauna, flora and air. "Food chain" is limited to food chain components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Correct and appropriate methods to maintain and balance the ecosystem are selected and applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Identified problem areas are communicated to the supervisor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Preventative measures to avoid degradation of soil and deterioration of vegetation are selected and applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The roles of the ecosystem and of food chains are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify the key fauna and flora types and their sustainable management. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    All pastures on a farm. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An understanding of the wise utilisation of different fauna and flora to the benefit of the farming activities and the environment are demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Management techniques are understood and applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Rehabilitation methods are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The status of the fauna and flora on the farm is monitored, recorded and reported. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify the different soil categories, the utilisation and maintenance thereof. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Soil types are limited to three types occurring on the farm or direct environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Deterioration in vegetation in relation to the soil condition / degradation is observed and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Signs of soil erosion is observed and reported. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Soil erosion preventative measures are monitored and progress or the lack thereof is reported. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Vegetation species suitable to the soil type that can be used for degraded soil are identified and planted. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Appropriate application of soil conservation structures and methods are monitored. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Rotational farming practices are applied. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Monitor and implement principles of water management. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Water management includes but is not limited to rainwater harvesting, catchment methods, protection of wells and fountains, protecting and controlling riverbanks, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Maintenance needs of water sources are identified and acted upon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Cultivars promoting the optimal use of water are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Causes of water pollution are described and methods of water pollution are applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Basic methods of water harvesting are described and appropriately applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    An understanding of the water run-off plan is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Demonstrate a basic understanding of the energy cycle. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Limited to the components of the energy cycle. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Importance of attitude (position relative to the sun) of plants and animals, and sun interactive cycles are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The conversion of sun energy into food is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The energy cycle is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Read a two dimensional map of the direct vicinity. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Limited to basic topography. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The significance of contours, slopes, valleys and scale are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Rivers, streams, wetlands, cultivated areas and differing land uses are recognised. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to orientate the map correctly according to the magnetic North Pole is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The boundaries of the local farm unit on the map, and main characteristics are identified. 


    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 al 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:
  • Basic fire fighting rules.
  • Basic principles of natural resources management.
  • Acts and legislation on "conservation of Agricultural Resources".
  • OHS Act.
  • Natural Resource Conservation Act.
  • Components of the water cycle.
  • Components of ecosystems.
  • Components of an energy cycle.
  • Principles of sustainability.
  • Classification of fauna and flora relevant to the direct environment.
  • Alien species relevant to the direct environment.
  • Three main soil types and characteristics.
  • Definitions and terminology.
  • Prevailing climatic conditions of the area.
  • Sources of water.
  • Sources of energy (renewable and non renewable).
  • Basic topography and map reading.
  • Types of pollution.
  • Importance of natural resources management. 
    		•

    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 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
    Core  49048   National Certificate: Animal Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  49052   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    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. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    2. Boikgantsho Consulting & Events 
    3. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    4. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    5. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    6. Fantique Trade 664 Cc 
    7. Heedmorine Training 
    8. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    9. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    10. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    11. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    12. Maishamalema Development Training 
    13. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    14. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    15. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    16. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    17. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    18. Mvelo Consultant 
    19. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    20. National Woolgrowers Of South Africa 
    21. Peritum Agri Institute 
    22. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    23. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    24. Setlakala Business Development 
    25. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    26. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    27. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    28. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    29. Tripple R Training Provider 
    30. Two-a-Day Group (Pty) Ltd 
    31. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    32. Westco Agri Training 


    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.