- South Africa is rich in cultural diversity, which means that people from different areas
have different ways of doing things. Learn about the culture of local people so that you
can make sure not to offend anyone by your behaviour. - When you are in a protected area, do not damage plants or animals or buildings. For
example, writing graffiti on historical buildings or sites. Remember the saying: take
only pictures, leave only footprints.
9.9 Summary DUMMY
- Biosphere is the sphere in which all ecosystems on Earth exist. It interacts with the
atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. - Biomes contained within biospheres are regions with similar cilmatic and geographic
conditions. Broadly, biomes are either aquatic or terrestrial. - South Africa’s major aquatic biomes include freshwater and marine biomes, based
on their salt concentrations. Terrestrial biomes of South Africa include Grassland,
Savana, Succulent and Nama Karoo, Forest, Fynbos, Desert and Thicket Biomes. Each
is located differently across South Africa and has its own distinctive plant and animal
life. - Ecosystems refer to the biological environment consisting of all organisms in a particu-
lar area. Energy flows through ecosystems from the sun through to producers (plants),
primary consumers (typically herivores), secondary consumers (carnivores), ultimately
terminating at decomposers. The food chain describes the relationships linking pro-
ducers, consumers and decomposers. Food pyramids can also be used to represent
this relationship. Pyramids of biomass, energy and numbers of organisms can also be
used to describe the biotic relationships in ecosystems. - Abiotic factors including physiographic (slope, altitude and aspect) and edaphic (soil
pH, texture, humus content) factors also play a role in ecosystems. - Nutrient cycles describe the flow of particular nutrients (C, O, N and water) through
the ecosystem. - Ecotourism produces widespread benefits to South Africa, creating jobs, preserving its
natural beauty and improving infrastructure. There are ethical considerations invovled
in ensuring that the ecological and cultural diversity of South Africa’s ecosystems is
preserved.
Exercise 9 – 1:- Study the sketch of the forest ecosystem below:
Chapter 9. Biospheres to ecosystems 287