You are an enthusiastic amateur botanist.  Where in South Africa might you choose to visit?  What might explain the large variety of flora in this area?

Handout

Link to 'Flora in South Africa' pdf

How this fits

This scenario invites pupils to make links between climate and biodiversity.  Pupils should be encouraged to think about why it might be important to protect areas of high biodiversity (such as the potential medicinal value of plants).

Curriculum links

Geography:

1.2b Knowing where places and landscapes are located, why they are there, the patterns and distributions they create, how and why these are changing and the implications for people.

1.6a Understanding that the physical and human dimensions of the environment are interrelated and together influence environmental change.

2.1g Solve problems and make decisions to develop analytical skills and creative thinking about geographical issues.

Science: 

3.4c Human activity and natural processes can lead to changes in the environment.

Where to go

Geography & Wildlife; Climate & Agriculture; Map of South Africa.

What to watch

Welcome to South Africa! (video)

Follow-up questions

1. Where else in the world might you expect to find a large variety of flora?
2. Why might it be important to protect these areas?
3. Are there particular ecosystems that have a greater biodiversity?
   

Tags: resources; ecosystems, environmental issues; conservation

About scenarios:

Scenarios are teaching resources designed for use in the classroom or as homework. They are linked to the National Curriculum and content on the Our Africa website. See about scenarios for more information on the topics used and their position in the curriculum.