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. Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    3. African Divas 
    4. Alpha Business Consultants 
    5. Amabamba Recruitment 
    6. Amangile Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    7. AVAX SA 481 CC. T/A Mandisa Development Services 
    8. Azitjhewi Construction 
    9. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    10. Bantubanye Skills 
    11. Bettes - Types Trading and Projects 
    12. Bikologix Projects 
    13. Bizzy Fire Control CC. 
    14. BO Support Services CC 
    15. Boikgantsho Consulting & Events 
    16. Boiponahatso Enterprise 
    17. Boland Agri Training & Community Development Centre 
    18. Boni Africa Events & Development 
    19. Buena Vista Learning Academy 
    20. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    21. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    22. Coceka Consulting 
    23. Colgene Group 
    24. Cre8ive Organisational Development 
    25. CTC College(PTY) LTD. 
    26. Daily Double Traiding 281 
    27. Dean Institute Of Learning (Pty) Ltd 
    28. Dihwai Food Cultural and Agricultural Services 
    29. Ditirelo Skills Development Services 
    30. ECO PARTNERS 
    31. Edutraining Business College 
    32. Elective Training Institute Enterprise CC 
    33. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    34. Environmental Leadership Academy 
    35. Escay Catering and other Services 
    36. Essential Skills 
    37. Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa 
    38. GAEGOLELWE CONSULTANCY (PTY) LTD 
    39. General Economic Analysis 
    40. Ghoenas Kraal Opleiding Sentrum 
    41. Glere Skills and Consultants 
    42. GLOBAL LINKS CORPORATE TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    43. Goitsikitso Enterprise Trading 
    44. Goldfields FET College 
    45. Green Prints Consulting and Projects 
    46. Growth Management Consulting 
    47. Heedmorine Training 
    48. Hercuscope 
    49. Hlombe and Associates 
    50. HS GLOBAL SKILLS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 
    51. Hungweni Trading Cc 
    52. Icando 
    53. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    54. Independent Development Trust 
    55. Integrated Waste and Recycling Services(IWARS) 
    56. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    57. Jobafrik Consulting 
    58. Jomash Construction 
    59. Josmap Training Institute 
    60. JPM & Associates 
    61. Kay Beez Development Projects 
    62. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    63. Kernel Management and Consulting (PTY) LTD. 
    64. Kgakishe Trading and Projects (PTY) LTD 
    65. Kgopane Trading Enterprise 
    66. Kimbali Holdings 
    67. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    68. Knowledge For Ever 
    69. Kokilesedi Trading 
    70. Kwazulu Skills Academy 
    71. KWEM Management Solutions 
    72. Lapa La Afrika Farming and Projects 
    73. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    74. Lesias Educational Services 
    75. Lip Holding (pty) LTD 
    76. Londimvelo Consultants 
    77. Lorpen Investments 
    78. M.I.C. Training and Development 
    79. Mafusega Projects 
    80. Mahayi HRD Services cc 
    81. Maishamalema Development Training 
    82. Makavila Suppliers CC. 
    83. Maleleza Farming Enterprise Pty Ltd 
    84. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    85. Mangalani Business Enterprises 
    86. Marang Women in Agric and Development 
    87. Masheshafike (Pty) Ltd 
    88. MashMP Holdings 
    89. Mashphe Logistics Services 
    90. Mathapuso Construction and Projects 
    91. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    92. Mazasa Management Consulting CC. 
    93. Mbinga Holdings (Pty) Ltd 
    94. Mcebo Technologies 
    95. Mementos Training Pty Ltd 
    96. Mestel Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    97. Mgwezane Training and Events Management CC. 
    98. Miczo's Enterprise 
    99. Mimoisa Business Solutions CC 
    100. Misol Projects cc 
    101. MML Consulting CC. 
    102. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    103. Mod-Mosh Projects and Consulting (PTY) LTD 
    104. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    105. Mohlaje Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    106. Montshepetsa Bosui Farming & Training Cnt 
    107. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    108. Moseki Consulting Engineering Training & Development (PTY) LTD 
    109. Mphela Education Training and Development 
    110. Mpontshe Training 
    111. Mthashana FET College - Vryheid Campus 
    112. Multiple Productive Management Solutions 
    113. Mvelo Consultant 
    114. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    115. National Woolgrowers Of South Africa 
    116. Nettcon SA 
    117. New Heights 1082 Pty Ltd 
    118. NFS Services (Pty) Ltd 
    119. Ngwato Wa Mphela Agriculture Training Services 
    120. NKQUBELA CONSULTING 
    121. Nokusho M Consulting and Trading 
    122. Nonunu Projects 
    123. Nophelo Training Centre 
    124. Novi General Services 
    125. Nsuku Management Consultants 
    126. Nyankwavi Investment CC. 
    127. PBM Solutions 
    128. Pebetse Training and Consulting 
    129. PFIM Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    130. Philani Solutions 
    131. Phill Skills and Development Institute 
    132. Pioneer Business Consulting 
    133. PMA Holdings (PTY ) LTD. 
    134. POTCH - UTC (PTY) LTD 
    135. Power Rush Trading 170 CC. 
    136. Powernexus 
    137. Puseletso Trading and Projects 
    138. Rebone Safety and Environmental Consultants 
    139. Reflections Development Institute 
    140. RLSTP Training & Development (PTY) LTD. 
    141. RMCII Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    142. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    143. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    144. Senelo Trading CC 
    145. Setlakala Business Development 
    146. Siljeur Training Academy 
    147. Simmek Holdings 
    148. Simtho Investments (PTY) LTD 
    149. Siyafundisa I Africa 
    150. Siyasanga Training Centre 
    151. SJM Squared Construction 
    152. SmartMatta (Pty) Ltd 
    153. South African Institute of Learning (SAIL) 
    154. South African ABET Development Agency SAADA 
    155. South African Governance and Business College 
    156. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    157. Taletso FET College - Central Office 
    158. Thando Consulting Services 
    159. The Crimson CO CC. 
    160. The Green Affairs Consulting 
    161. The Petit Pois Chef's Academy 
    162. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    163. Thembeni Skills Development Trading and Projects 
    164. Thubelihle Graduate Institute 
    165. Thuto Boshwa Skills Development Services 
    166. TLD Consulting 
    167. Tlotlangthuto Training & Consulting 
    168. TM Mashwara and Projects 
    169. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    170. Township Fire and Rescure (Pty) Ltd 
    171. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    172. Training at Work (Pty) Ltd 
    173. Tripple R Training Provider 
    174. Tshisimani Holdings (PTY) Ltd. 
    175. Twin Peak Technologies 
    176. Ukhamba Quality Skills 
    177. UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS EXCELLENCE(PTY)LTD 
    178. University of Limpopo 
    179. University of Venda 
    180. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    181. Venus Maintenance and Supply Services 
    182. Vista Chem Consulting 
    183. Westco Agri Training 
    184. X Foundation 
    185. Ya Hina Management Consulting and projects 


    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.