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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Interpret climate variability 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246534  Interpret climate variability 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Weather 
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  14 
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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 person credited with this Unit Standard is able to use statistics to produce data related to climatology. The learner will also be able to classify climate zones and seasonal variables to determine various weather predictions. The learner will also be able to explain the impact that certain climate variables have on the country and its inhabitants.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Applying basic statistics in relation to climatology.
  • Interpreting and using various climate classification systems.
  • Explaining the development of the modern atmosphere and climate variability.
  • Interpreting the ocean-atmosphere interaction and climate variability.
  • Interpreting climatic impact and applications.
  • Interpreting urban influences on climate. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners accessing this Unit Standard are competent in the following:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Unit Standard: Analyse Basic Meteorological Circulations, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Apply basic statistics in relation to climatology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Time series analysis is explained in relation to climatology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Time series analysis includes but is not limited to averages, means, modes, medians, standard deviations, variance, cyclical and random events.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Graphical representations are constructed in order to visualise the climate data. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Graphical representations include histograms, line graphs and rose diagrams.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Frequency distribution and probability are analysed in terms of the occurrence of the climatic event. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Frequency distribution and probability include persistence.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Theoretical climate distributions are analysed in order to categorise climatic events. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Theoretical climate distributions include but are not limited to normal and value distributions.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Correlation and regression methods are used to compare climate variables. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Interpret various climate classification systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The Koppen classification system is explained in terms of climate zones globally. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The Koppen classification and other classification systems are interpreted to define climate zones within Africa. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Classification systems include but are not limited to land characteristics.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Land characteristics and the Koppen climate classification is used to define South African climate zones. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the development of the modern atmosphere and climate variability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The composition of the ancient atmosphere and its oxygenation is explained in order to show the linkage between the physical and biological environments. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Ancient atmosphere is the atmosphere before photosynthesis. The role of geological processes in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is included.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ice ages are explained with reference to solar variability and plate tectonics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Climate change is explained with reference to volcanic eruptions and meteorite impacts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The Greenhouse effect is explained as a natural process in the radiation budget. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Anthropogenic climate change is explained with reference to the "ozone hole", and the enhanced Greenhouse effect. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Interpret the ocean-atmosphere interaction and climate variability. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Seasonal variability refers to South Africa only. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    El Niņo and Lã Niņa effects are explained in relation to the El Niņo Southern Oscillation (ENSO). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effects on rainfall variability are Interpreted with reference to the changes in surface temperatures in global oceans. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effects on climate variability are Interpreted with reference to the ocean currents surrounding South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Seasonal forecasts are explained with reference to the ocean-atmosphere interactions with regard to South Africa. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Interpret climatic impact. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The design and development of the built environment is Interpreted using climate data. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The built environment includes infrastructure and human made construction.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Climate data interpreted for agricultural planning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Climate data is interpreted in terms of its impact on health. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Health includes but is not limited to disease and discomfort indexes.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Seasonal forecasts are interpreted for medium term planning. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Medium term refers to a period ranging between two weeks and one year.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Interpret urban influences on climate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The difference between urban and rural climates is explained in order to distinguish between the two climate environments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of air pollution is Interpreted with reference to its influence on urban climate. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The effect of air pollution includes but is not limited to air stability and stack heights.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Acid rain formation is Interpreted with reference to urban atmospheric pollution. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • 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 conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Statistical terminology. 
    		•

    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 relation to climatology. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others in order to obtain the required information and data related to climate variability. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information which will have an impact on climate variability. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to capture, process and store information related to climate variability. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems as it relates to climatology. 

    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
    Elective  58995   National Certificate: Weather Observation  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 


    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.