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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain the biophysical environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264456  Explain the biophysical environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Environmental Science, Env Mgt and Waste Mgt 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
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 purpose of this standard is to provide the learner with a broad overview of the biophysical environment, which includes the main concepts, characteristics and challenges, especially within the South African context. In addition, the learner will acquire the competencies to understand the impact of human living on the environment and the aspect of human vulnerability.

Learners credited with this standard will be capable of:
  • Describing the physical components of the environment and their related concepts.
  • Explaining biodiversity and its related aspects.
  • Exploring the inter-relationships between the components and the systems.
  • Describing the challenges to the biophysical environment of South Africa.
  • Identifying and explaining environmental features on maps. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the physical components of the environment and their related concepts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The physical components of the environment are described in terms of their inter-relationships and their properties. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes water, soil and air.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The related processes of the physical environment are explained with specific reference to the South African context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to material cycling, limiting factors, constant change.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain biodiversity and its related aspects. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The components of biodiversity are identified and explained within the South African context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of South Africa is described in terms of biodiversity and its richness and scientific importance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The threats to biodiversity in South Africa are explored and the mechanisms developed to counter them are explained as part of the strategy to protect the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The manner in which biodiversity targets for different regions are set is explained in a manner that emphasises the importance of monitoring and conserving the country's biodiversity. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explore the inter-relationships between the components and the systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The systems that impact on humans are identified and explained in terms of their components and functioning. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    These are the economic, biophysical and the social systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The inter-relationships between the components of each system are explored in terms of the role they play in the system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The inter-relationships between the systems are explored in terms of their impact on humans. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The concept of triple bottom line is explained to show how it can be used as a tool of analysing issues of sustainable development. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the challenges to the biophysical environment of South Africa. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to global warming, desertification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The challenges to the biophysical environment are explained in terms of their causes and effects. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The impact of the interventions made to counter these challenges are described and evaluated to indicate the importance of appropriate and timeous interventions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Principles which guide South Africa's responses to these challenges are identified and explained in a manner that is effective in creating awareness of the principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Aspects of climatology and meteorology are explained in terms of their influence on the biophysical environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Identify and explain environmental features on maps. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Maps include aerial photographs, and orthographic maps. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Maps are interpreted according to the information portrayed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information portrayed includes using scale, lines of longitude and latitude, north, true north, magnetic north, bearing.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information indicated by certain aspects on the map is interpreted as intended by the map maker. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Aspects include contours, isotopes, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Bio-physical features, landforms and development features indicated on the map are identified and interpreted in accordance with their original intent. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Aspects of maps that relate directly to environmental issues are explained in terms of the importance of maps in the work of an environment officer. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Physical components of the environment.
  • Biological components of the environment.
  • The economic, biophysical and the social systems.
  • How to read maps.
  • Inter-relationships between different components.
  • Biodiversity targets. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Determining threats to biodiversity and generating possible responses. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively when:
  • Discussing the physical components of the environment.
  • Analysing biodiversity and its threats.
  • Analysing the interaction between the three spheres/systems.
  • Analysing maps to identify biophysical features. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to:
  • Determine responses to the threats to biodiversity. 
    		•

    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  66789   National Certificate: Environmental Management  Level 5  NQF Level 05  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. Giamanje TVET College 
    2. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    3. Jobafrik Consulting 
    4. Josmap Training Institute 
    5. Lewerb Holdings (PTY) Ltd 
    6. Makhuba Development Projects CC 
    7. Mamuhle Academy 
    8. Maxlen Holdings 
    9. Mementos Training Pty Ltd 
    10. Petra Institute of Development 
    11. PFIM Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    12. Progressive School of Business and Engineering (Pty) 
    13. Reflections Development Institute 
    14. Sebenzisanane Human Capital 
    15. Tasc Business Consulting and Training 
    16. Thando Consulting Services 
    17. Timothy Fasheun Group Enviromentors (Pty) Ltd 
    18. Transafric Consulting Pty Ltd 
    19. Triplo 4 Sustainable Solutions (PTY) LTD 
    20. Vhutshilo Health And Training Organisation 
    21. 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.