GGH3701 Assignment 1 Revision
Questions and Answers7
Determine the correct order of driving forces, pressures and impacts on biodiversity loss in
Southern Africa.
1. Increased demand; Natural disturbances; Impaired ecosystem functioning
2. Globalisation; Introduction of alien species; Impaired ecosystem functioning
3. Population growth; Natural disturbances; Overexploitation of natural resources
4. Policies and legislation; Globalisation; Habitat loss and fragmentation - ANSWERS -2.
Globalisation; Introduction of alien species; Impaired ecosystem functioning ✔
Read the following statement and indicate whether it is TRUE or FALSE:
Safari hunting is the primary income-generating form of consumptive wildlife utilisation within
the Southern African region. - ANSWERS -True ✔
Read the following scenario:
You have been appointed to complete an environmental impact assessment of a proposed
residential development located close to a wetland. Through the public participation process, it
was established that the surrounding communities depend on the wetland for various purposes
and an endemic bird species was also identified in a specialist report.
Evaluate the given scenario and determine which one of the following international conventions
is most relevant to this proposed development.
1. RAMSAR Convention
2. Convention on Biological Diversity
, 3. World Heritage Convention
4. International Plant Protection Convention - ANSWERS -1. RAMSAR Convention ✔
Population growth is considered to be the sole contributor to environmental change owing to
the combination of --- and ---.
1. an insatiable appetite for resources; the unsustainable consumption of resources
2. the continued increase in mortality rates; the use of non-renewable resources
3. the use of renewable resources; only considering the instrumental value of resources
4. sustained economic growth; creating renewable supply - ANSWERS -1. An insatiable appetite
for resources; the unsustainable consumption of resources
Read the following scenario:
Numerous beaches within the eThekwini metropolitan municipality have been closed by
officials. Water samples were taken for analysis to an accredited laboratory for testing after an
increasing number of the population have fallen ill. Community members have raised
complaints of unbearable smells and fishermen have complained of falling ill after consuming
fish caught from some of the beaches that are still open to the public.
Evaluate the given scenario and determine which one of the following is the main contributor to
the environmental change experienced by surrounding communities?
1. None of the above
2. Both nature and human activities
3. Only human factors
4. Only natural factors - ANSWERS -3. Only human factors ✔
Read the following:
An environmental manager must investigate the natural resources of a given ecosystem located
close to a rural settlement in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. They then compiled a detailed
Questions and Answers7
Determine the correct order of driving forces, pressures and impacts on biodiversity loss in
Southern Africa.
1. Increased demand; Natural disturbances; Impaired ecosystem functioning
2. Globalisation; Introduction of alien species; Impaired ecosystem functioning
3. Population growth; Natural disturbances; Overexploitation of natural resources
4. Policies and legislation; Globalisation; Habitat loss and fragmentation - ANSWERS -2.
Globalisation; Introduction of alien species; Impaired ecosystem functioning ✔
Read the following statement and indicate whether it is TRUE or FALSE:
Safari hunting is the primary income-generating form of consumptive wildlife utilisation within
the Southern African region. - ANSWERS -True ✔
Read the following scenario:
You have been appointed to complete an environmental impact assessment of a proposed
residential development located close to a wetland. Through the public participation process, it
was established that the surrounding communities depend on the wetland for various purposes
and an endemic bird species was also identified in a specialist report.
Evaluate the given scenario and determine which one of the following international conventions
is most relevant to this proposed development.
1. RAMSAR Convention
2. Convention on Biological Diversity
, 3. World Heritage Convention
4. International Plant Protection Convention - ANSWERS -1. RAMSAR Convention ✔
Population growth is considered to be the sole contributor to environmental change owing to
the combination of --- and ---.
1. an insatiable appetite for resources; the unsustainable consumption of resources
2. the continued increase in mortality rates; the use of non-renewable resources
3. the use of renewable resources; only considering the instrumental value of resources
4. sustained economic growth; creating renewable supply - ANSWERS -1. An insatiable appetite
for resources; the unsustainable consumption of resources
Read the following scenario:
Numerous beaches within the eThekwini metropolitan municipality have been closed by
officials. Water samples were taken for analysis to an accredited laboratory for testing after an
increasing number of the population have fallen ill. Community members have raised
complaints of unbearable smells and fishermen have complained of falling ill after consuming
fish caught from some of the beaches that are still open to the public.
Evaluate the given scenario and determine which one of the following is the main contributor to
the environmental change experienced by surrounding communities?
1. None of the above
2. Both nature and human activities
3. Only human factors
4. Only natural factors - ANSWERS -3. Only human factors ✔
Read the following:
An environmental manager must investigate the natural resources of a given ecosystem located
close to a rural settlement in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. They then compiled a detailed
