Nature Side Guide Level 2

NATURE SIDE GUIDE LEVEL 2:

 

What I’ve learned so far:

Module 1 à Introduction to the natural environment and the Biomes:

Ø Professional nature guiding

·       Definition of a Nature Guide

·       The aims of Nature guiding

·       The ethics of a professional nature guide

·       Qualification and registration

·       Guiding principles and Code of Conduct.

Ø Introduction to the natural environment and the Biomes 

·       Biodiversity

·       What a biome is

·       The biomes in South Africa

·       The Biome Rainfall

Ø A brief introduction to each Biome.

Module 2 à Creating a guided experience:

Ø The guiding Skill Learning Manual

Module 3 à Geology:  

Ø What geology is

Ø Why the study of geology is important for a guide

Ø Weathering and Erosion

Ø Basic composition of the earth

Ø What factors shape the earth

Ø The major rock types of the Earth

Ø Igneous rocks

Ø Sedimentary rocks

Ø Metamorphic rocks

Ø Rock forming minerals

Ø Properties of two common rock types.

Examples of erosion:

Module 4 à Astronomy:     

Ø Introduction to the southern night skies  

Ø Astronomical phenomena

Ø Planets and their position in the solar system

Ø Common constellations and their prominent stars

Ø The moon

Ø Eclipses  

Ø The effects of the moon and the sun on the ocean tides.

Module 6 à Basic Ecology:



Symbiotic relationship between Cattle and Cattle Egret

 Ø What ecology is

Ø Ecosystems

Ø Levels of organization in ecology

Ø Food chains

Ø The Nutrient Cycle

Ø The tropic pyramid

Ø Symbiotic relationships

Ø Predation and competition

Module 7à Basic Taxonomy:

Ø What Taxonomy is

Ø Hierarchical order

Module 8 à Plants and Grasses:  

Ø The nature and classification of plants  

Ø The anatomy of a tree

Ø Tree and shrub identification

Ø Identification of leaf structure

Ø The use of trees and shrubs

Ø Introduction to grass

Ø Ecology of grasses

Ø Anatomy of grass plant

Ø Pollination of grasses

Ø Grazing value of grasses

Ø Ecological status of grasses

Ø Grassland succession

Ø Veld types
 

Module 9 à Arthropods (Insects and Relatives):

Ø What an arthropod is

Ø The general characteristics of Arthropods

Ø Insects

Ø Spiders

Ø Scorpions

Ø Centipedes and Millipedes


Thick Tail Scorpion



Burrowing Scorpion

Module 11 à Reptiles:    Ø Characteristics of reptiles

Ø The three orders of reptiles found in Southern Africa

·      Order Chelonia (Tortoise, Terrapins, Turtles)


Tortoises

  

Terrapin

 

Turtle



·      Order Squamata

ü Worm lizards (Sub order Amphisbaenia)

ü Lizards, Geckos, Chameleons (Sub-order Sauria)  

Chamelleon



ü Snakes (Serpentes)

·      The Nile Crocodile (Order Crocodylia)

Module 13 à Birds:

Ø Characteristics of birds

Helmeted Guinefoawl



Ø Classification of birds

Ø Food and feeding methods

Ø Nests and Nesting behaviour

Ø Common bird behaviour

Ø How to identify birds

Yellow Bill HornBil

Kingfisher



SpoonBill





















Module 14 à Mammals:



Giraffes

 Ø Characteristics of the class mammals

Ø Characteristics of the sub-class of mammals

Ø Mammal foot structure

Ø Mammal digestive systems

Ø Characteristics of mammal order.
Ø The Flagship species
Ø Mammal information table

Zebra and Foal



Kudu Bull





Blesbok



Blue Wildebeest

Rabbit

Warthog

 

 

Module 5 --> Weather and Climate:

•  The difference between Weather and Climate.
• The main causes of weather.
• Types of winds.
• Types of clouds.
• Weather patterns of Southern Africa.

Module 10 --> Amphibians:

• Introduction to anphibians.
• The difference between frogs and toads.
• Frog calls.
• Mating behaviour.
• Eggs.
• Tadpoles.
• Metamorphosis.
• Colouration.
• Feeding behaviour.

Module 12 --> Fish:

• What a fish is.
• Basic classification of fish.
• The external anatomy of fish.
• The ecological role of fish.
• Reproduction and growth of fish.
• Feeding behaviour.
• Locomotion.
• Senses.
• Pigment and colour.

Module 15 --> Historical Human Habitation:

Early history of humans in Southern Africa.    

• The early stone age. 
• The middle Stone Age.
• The Later Stone Age.
• The iron Age.
• Aouthern African Archaelogy.
• The importance of archaeological sites.
• Traditional South African Cultures.