FULL NAMES:
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER:
MODULE CODE: GGH2602
MODULE NAME: THE GEOGRAPHY OF SERVICES PROVISION
ASSIGNMENT: 01
SEMESTER 1_2025
, Question 1
(a) In Mqanduli, a rural village in the Eastern Cape, the impact of human activity on the natural
environment has become increasingly visible. One of the most notable changes stems from how
the community has responded to population growth. With more families relying on land for
survival, vast tracts of indigenous vegetation have been cleared to make room for agricultural
expansion. This widespread deforestation has weakened the soil structure, reducing its ability to
retain moisture and withstand erosion. As trees are removed, the protective canopy that once
shielded the land from wind and rain disappears. This leaves the topsoil exposed and more likely
to be washed or blown away, which makes farming less productive over time. Soil erosion, in
turn, limits the variety of crops that can be grown and diminishes grazing areas for cattle,
creating a cycle of environmental strain and declining agricultural yields (GGH2602 Study
Guide, 2024:18).
Climate change has also intensified the region’s environmental stress. The loss of tree cover has
disrupted the natural water cycle, making the land more susceptible to drought. With rainfall
becoming less predictable, local farmers have started to dig boreholes and draw water from
rivers to irrigate their crops. Although this may seem like a short-term solution, over-reliance on
groundwater and river systems can lower water tables and dry up water sources during dry
seasons. This leads to competition over limited resources, placing strain not just on the
environment but also on the social fabric of the community. The need to irrigate crops during
long dry periods also impacts aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity, which affects the wider food
chain and the availability of natural resources (UN-Habitat, 2019; GGH2602 Study Guide,
2024:17).
Human activity has also taken a toll on local ecosystems through the clearing of medicinal plant
habitats. Many traditional plants that were once used for healing are now harder to find because
their natural habitats have been disturbed or destroyed. This affects the community’s reliance on
indigenous knowledge systems and traditional medicine, forcing people to turn to formal
healthcare systems which may be difficult to access in rural areas. Wildlife that once thrived in
this environment now faces limited food and water sources, driving many species away or
reducing their numbers altogether. This biodiversity loss undermines the ecological balance that
supported sustainable living practices in the past (GGH2602 Study Guide, 2024:5).
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER:
MODULE CODE: GGH2602
MODULE NAME: THE GEOGRAPHY OF SERVICES PROVISION
ASSIGNMENT: 01
SEMESTER 1_2025
, Question 1
(a) In Mqanduli, a rural village in the Eastern Cape, the impact of human activity on the natural
environment has become increasingly visible. One of the most notable changes stems from how
the community has responded to population growth. With more families relying on land for
survival, vast tracts of indigenous vegetation have been cleared to make room for agricultural
expansion. This widespread deforestation has weakened the soil structure, reducing its ability to
retain moisture and withstand erosion. As trees are removed, the protective canopy that once
shielded the land from wind and rain disappears. This leaves the topsoil exposed and more likely
to be washed or blown away, which makes farming less productive over time. Soil erosion, in
turn, limits the variety of crops that can be grown and diminishes grazing areas for cattle,
creating a cycle of environmental strain and declining agricultural yields (GGH2602 Study
Guide, 2024:18).
Climate change has also intensified the region’s environmental stress. The loss of tree cover has
disrupted the natural water cycle, making the land more susceptible to drought. With rainfall
becoming less predictable, local farmers have started to dig boreholes and draw water from
rivers to irrigate their crops. Although this may seem like a short-term solution, over-reliance on
groundwater and river systems can lower water tables and dry up water sources during dry
seasons. This leads to competition over limited resources, placing strain not just on the
environment but also on the social fabric of the community. The need to irrigate crops during
long dry periods also impacts aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity, which affects the wider food
chain and the availability of natural resources (UN-Habitat, 2019; GGH2602 Study Guide,
2024:17).
Human activity has also taken a toll on local ecosystems through the clearing of medicinal plant
habitats. Many traditional plants that were once used for healing are now harder to find because
their natural habitats have been disturbed or destroyed. This affects the community’s reliance on
indigenous knowledge systems and traditional medicine, forcing people to turn to formal
healthcare systems which may be difficult to access in rural areas. Wildlife that once thrived in
this environment now faces limited food and water sources, driving many species away or
reducing their numbers altogether. This biodiversity loss undermines the ecological balance that
supported sustainable living practices in the past (GGH2602 Study Guide, 2024:5).
