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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Analyse the interrelationship between human activities and atmospheric circulation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246533  Analyse the interrelationship between human activities and atmospheric circulation 
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  10 
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 person credited with this Unit Standard will be able to understand global weather circulations with particular reference to human/environment relationship in the Southern African context. The learner will also be able to engage knowledgably in debates around climate change and global warming in the Southern African context. The learner will also be able to analyse and advise on the occurrence of air pollution in South Africa.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Explaining the impact of tropical weather on human activities.
  • Analysing the impact of sub-tropical weather on human activities.
  • Analysing the impact of frontal systems on humans and cut off lows and human activities.
  • Explaining the relationship between humans and polar circulations.
  • Analysing the impact of climate change, particularly global warming in the context of Southern Africa.
  • Analysing the distribution of air pollution in South Africa. 
    		•

    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 at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the impact of tropical weather on human activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The spatial and temporal distribution of tropical weather is explained by using maps and climatograms with specific reference to Africa. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Spatial and temporal distribution of tropical weather may include but is not limited to the migration of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the role of Easterly wave disturbances.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The occurrence of tropical depressions, storms and cyclones is explained spatially and temporally by using satellite images and synoptic charts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Satellite images refer only to the basic channel and identification.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Short to medium term variability of tropical circulations is explained in terms of their impact on human activities. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Short to medium term variability of tropical circulations may include but is not limited to the impact of El Nino, La Nino and Indian Ocean influences on tropical African weather.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The impact of tropical depressions, storms and cyclones is analysed in the context of settlement location, economic activities and the disaster management environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Analyse the impact of sub-tropical weather human activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The spatial and temporal distribution of sub-tropical weather is explained using maps and climatograms of Southern Africa. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Spatial and temporal distribution of sub-tropical weather may include but is not limited to the mean position of sub-tropical anti-cyclones and troughs and the seasonal variation in the horizontal and vertical structure of these circulations and the weather associated with them.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The economic impact of summer and winter rainfall and temperature regimes are explained using maps and climatograms of South African Agriculture. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The economic impact of summer and winter rainfall and temperature regimes includes the distribution and growing periods of various crops, dam levels and tourist seasons.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The conditions that cause droughts and floods are analysed using statistics, synoptic charts and global weather charts of Southern Africa. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Conditions may include but are not limited to regional influences such as El Nino and La Nina as well as more localised influences such as cut-off lows and thunderstorms and the duration and intensity of rainfall episodes leading to regional and local flooding.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The economic influence of dry and wet periods is analysed using statistical tables and graphs of Southern Africa. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Economic influence may include but is not limited to the monetary cost of lost production and the loss of life and property.
  • Dry and wet periods refers also to floods and drought disasters.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The infrastructural requirements of drought and flood prone environments are analysed using statistical tables, graphs and maps of South African context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Infrastructural requirements may include but are not limited to the regulatory environment such as fifty year flood line restrictions, dams and irrigation schemes and domestic and industrial water supply and emergency services.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Analyse the impact of frontal systems on cut off lows on human activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The spatial and temporal distribution of frontal systems is explained using synoptic charts and climatograms of South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The economic influence of this distribution is analysed in the context of South Africa with particular reference to South Africa's winter rainfall region. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The economic influence includes the distribution of various agricultural activities and weather-related benefits and threats, such as cold snaps.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The wind chill effect is explained in relation to its impact on human activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Cut off low weather effects are explained in relation to their impact on human activities. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain the impact of polar circulations on human activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Polar weather is explained using maps and climatograms with particular reference to the Antarctic. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The seasonal accessibility of the Antarctic is explained in relation to its impact on human activities. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Human activities may include but are not limited to fishing, shipping, tourism and research activities.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The impact of the occurrence of the polar vortex on human activities is explained with reference to the ozone layer. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Analyse the impact of climate change in Southern Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The impacts of various forecasts of global warming on Southern Africa are explained with respect to sea-level change, rainfall distribution and changes to average and extreme temperatures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The significance of climate change in South Africa is explained in relation to economic activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The planning implications of climate change are analysed with reference to water supply, power supply, agriculture and tourism. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The analysis includes a scale of twenty to a hundred years.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The role South African organisations play in alleviating global warming are explained in terms of their effect. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Analyse the distribution of air pollution in South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Air pollution is explained with reference to particle concentrations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The atmospheric conditions and pollution sources that promote dangerous levels of air pollution are analysed at a local and regional scale. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The hazards associated with air pollution are analysed at a local and regional scale. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazards associated with air pollution may include but are not limited to visibility, acid rain and health hazards.
     


    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 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems related to the analysis of information regarding atmospheric circulations and human activities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities in order to have the correct data available when required to do analysis. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information pertaining to climate areas. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to assist in the capturing, processing and analysing atmospheric data. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems in terms of the positive and negative impact of the atmospheric circulations on human activities. 

    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.