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THE SYLLABUS FOR THE FIELD GUIDE LEVEL III CATEGORY
| A Level III guide should be able to point out and explain in terms of scientific theory and cultural belief, the features of the natural environment in which s/he is operating, and putting it into broader ecological context.
As a general indication, the knowledge and insight expected at this level is unlikely to be obtained without at least two years of active guiding in the field. A general distinction between the competence at this level as opposed to lower levels is the ability to explain phenomena by means of valid and well-motivated scientific theories and the concomitant use of appropriate scientific terminology. The Level 3 guide will need to know all the information contained in the Level 1 and 2 syllabus as well as the information in this level 3 syllabus.
The Level 3 guide is also expected to be able to discuss current conservation and sustainable tourism issues from within the existing socio-political framework of Southern Africa and the broader African continent.
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THE FGASA LEVEL 3 SYLLABUS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING MODULES:
| - Conducting an ethical guided nature experience
- Geology
- Astronomy
- Weather and Climate
- Ecology
- Taxonomy
- The Biomes of Southern Africa
- Botany and Grasse
- Fungi and Lichen
- Viruses and Bacteria
- Protista
- Mollusc
- Segmented worm
- Arthropod
- Amphibian
- Reptiles
- Fish
- Bird
- Mammal
- Animal behaviour
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MODULE 1 CONDUCTING AN ETHICAL GUIDED NATURE EXPERIENCE
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Have an understanding of what it means to be ethical.
- Show an understanding and be able to demonstrate the Comfort zones and personal space of animals and how this affects the guided experience from an ethical point of view.
- Know what it means to show respect for the natural environment and the animals that live within it.
- Know how to recognise unethical behaviour.
- Know what it means to respect equipment used in nature guiding.
- Have an understanding of the rules and laws pertaining to conservation and firearms.
- Understand the importance of cultural differences of clients during the guided experience.
- Know how to control your clients in terms of what they can and cannot do during the guided experience from an ethical point of view, incorporating all aspects of what is considered to be ethical behaviour.
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MODULE 2 GEOLOGY
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Be able to give a brief desion of the history of the Earth.
- Have an understanding of the structure of the Earth (Core, Mantle, Crust).
- Be able to give a brief explanation of the Continental Drift theory.
- Have an understanding of Plate tectonics, convection cells and be able to give examples of plate collisions and the consequences in terms of geological stuctures.
- Have an understanding of the rock cycle and be able to give an accurate desion of the various stages of the rock cycle.
- Be able to give examples of rock types within the basic classification of rocks.
- Know the geological history of the area of operation and how it relates to the existing environmental conditions and general ecology of the area.
- Be able to give a desion of the prominent geological phenomena of the area of operation.
- Have an understanding of Soil Catenas and be able to give a desion of a soil catena in your area of operation with the associated vegetation.
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MODULE 3 ASTRONOMY
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Be able to give an explanation of the Earth’s rotation and orbit around the sun.
- Know the meaning of perihelion and aphelion.
- Be able to give an explanation of the Moon’s orbit around the Earth
- Know the meaning of perigee and apogee.
- Be able to give a desion of what a leap year is.
- Be able to desbe the four seasons and why they come about.
- Be able to give a desion of our Sun’s characteristics.
- Know what a sunspot is and be able to desbe them.
- Be able to explain what a solar wind is.
- Show an understanding of the lifecycle of a star.
- Be able to understand by definition what is meant by: White dwarf, Black dwarf, Red Giant, Black hole, Supernova, Neutron star, Protostar, Binary stars.
- Know which planets are considered the inner planets.
- Know which planets are considered the Giant gas balls.
- Know what distinguishes the inner planets form the Giant gas balls.
- Be able to desbe and explain interesting characteristics of the nine planets and their orbiting bodies (moons).
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MODULE 4 WEATHER AND CLIMATE
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Be able to show an understanding of local wind systems and the effect they have on the local clima (Sea and Land breezes, Mountain and valley breezes, Berg winds)
- Understand global scale circulation of the atmosphere (Hadley cell, Ferrel cell and Polar cell).
- Be able to desbe the South African season wind changes and the effect that this has on seasonal weather conditions.
- Know what the Greenhouse effect is and be able to give a detailed desion and how this impacts on the environment.
- Be able to explain the meaning of radiation.
- Be able to desbe all forms of precipitation and the differences. (Fog, mist, smog, dew, frost, rainfall, Virga, hail and snow)
- Be able to give a desion and explain orographic rain.
- Be able to understand by definition what is meant by: Dew point, Condensation, Relative humidity.
- Understand what the phenomena of lightning and thunder are and be able to explain why and how they come about.
- Understand that there are different types of thunderstorms in terms of how they are formed.
- Be able to explain how thunderstorms develop and explain the life cycle of a convectional type of thunderstorm. (Developmental stage, Mature stage and Dissipating stage)
- Be able to show a basic understanding of current world wide weather phenomena, how they come about and the ecological impact they have. (El Nino, La Nina, Tsunamis, Global warming of ocean currents)
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MODULE 5 ECOLOGY
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Be able to give a detailed explanation of the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle and the phosphorous cycle and how they all interact together.
- Understand what is meant by nitrogen fixing and be able to give a detailed desion of this process including symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
- Be able to explain what is meant by population dynamics.
- Be able to explain the parameters that influence the size of a given population making use of examples from the natural environment.
- Be able to give a desion of and explain the Sigmoid-shaped growth curve and the phases of population size.
- Be able to desbe ecological carrying capacity (ECC) including the factors that are and are not influenced by population density and long and short term fluctuations in populations.
- Understand the effect of the predator-prey relationship on population dynamics.
- Be able to explain the concept of energy in the natural environment.
- Be able to understand and explain the laws of thermodynamics (1st and 2nd law) making use of examples.
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MODULE 6 TAXONOMY
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Know what the meaning of taxonomy and systematics are.
- Be able to explain the various approaches to taxonomy; Phenetics, cladistics, phylogenetics.
- Be able to define a cladogram and give an explanation making use of examples.
- Be able to explain what is meant by the Three domain system of classification.
- Understand the various classifications systems of living organisms that have been proposed to da (Kingdoms and domains)
- Be able to broadly classify all living organisms into the six kingdom system of classification.
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MODULE 7 THE BIOMES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Be able to name the seven major biomes in Southern Africa and the three aquatic related eco-regions and give a brief explanation of how they are distinguished and classified.
- Be able to give a desion of the sub-regions within each of the seven major biomes.
- Be able to explain the biomes in terms of the amount of seasonal rainfall and temperature, general geology of the biome.
- Show a clear understanding of the main vegetation types (growth forms/ veld types / plant communities) occurring within each of the seven major biomes.
- Know why certain animals are associated with particular biomes and how they survive in the environmental conditions of that particular biome.
- Show an understanding of the main threats to the individual biomes of Southern Africa including the aquatic eco-regions.
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MODULE 8 BOTANY AND GRASSES
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Understand how to place South African trees and shrubs into the classification system of plants.
- Be able to classify Spermatophyta (Seed bearing plants) into gymnosperms and Angiosperms.
- Be able to explain the difference between Monocots and Dicots.
- Be able to desbe plant processes of Photosynthesis, Respiration and Transpiration in terms of overall plant metabolism.
- Be able to explain plant protection mechanisms; protection in extreme environments, protection from herbivores, protection by camouflage, protection by ants, chemical protection, wound healing in plants.
- Be able to give an explanation of competition between plants making use of examples.
- Be able to desbe the process of osmosis in plants and various special structures used for water uptake in plants.
- Be able to give an explanation of how plants have developed structures for water storage that allow them to adapt to harsh environments.
- Be able to show an understanding of plant saprophytes and parasites, using examples.
- Be able to explain pollination and seed dispersal methods.
- Be able to explain grass plant strategies for success, namely; the existence of herbaceous stems and leaves, growing point placement, grass architecture.
- Be able to explain grass leaf structure, photosynthetic pathways and climatic adaptation of grasses.
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MODULE 9 FUNGI AND LICHENS
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Understand how fungi are classified.
- Know the characteristics of fungi.
- Understand and be able to explain fungal reproduction.
- Be able to explain the general life cycle of a mushroom.
- Be able to give an explanation as to how fungi fit into ecosystems.
- Be able to explain how fungi obtain their food.
- Understand how some fungi may be predatory and be able to give an explanation for this behaviour.
- Know what lichens are and give an explanation of their structure.
- Be able to name and identify some common lichens found in South Africa.
- Understand how lichens reproduce.
- Be able to explain how lichens obtain their food.
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MODULE 10 VIRUSES AND BACTERIA
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Know what a virus is.
- Have an understanding of the structure of a virus.
- Understand how viruses replica
- Be able to explain the stages of virus replication (attachment, penetration, replication, assembly and release).
- Be able to give a brief explanation of viral diseases in plants, humans and other animals caused by viruses.
- Understand how bacteria are classified.
- Be able to understand what bacteria are and be able to briefly explain their structure.
- Be able to give a basic explanation for the differences between viruses and bacteria.
- Understand the habitat requirements and ecology of bacteria.
- Be able to explain how bacteria replicate and move around.
- Understand the importance of cyanobacteria and the nitrogen cycle.
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MODULE 11 PROTISTA
| | | The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Understand how protists are classified.
- Know what protists are and their general characteristics.
- Be able to explain locomotion of protists and be able to group them according to their mode of locomotion.
- Understand how protists feed and reproduce.
- Be able to explain the phenomenon of “Red tides”.
- Have an understanding of some medically important protists (Plasmodium -malaria).
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MODULE 12 MOLLUSCS
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Understand how molluscs are classified.
- Know the basic anatomy of land snails.
- Be able to explain snail morphology (Foot, head, operculum)
- Understand how the snail shell is constructed and be able to explain coiling and torsion.
- Be able to give an explanation of how snails feed and what they feed on.
- Understand and be able to explain locomotion in snails.
- Be able to explain snails reproduction and the life cycle of snails.
- Understand the excretion system of snails.
- Be able to briefly explain snails as parasite hosts.
- Know the basic anatomy of Bivalves(mussles).
- Be able to give a brief desion of mussle shell construction.
- Understand reproduction in bivalves.
- Be able to explain bivalve locomotion, respiration and nutrition.
- Be able to give a brief explanation of snail enemies.
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MODULE 13 SEGMENTED WORMS
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Know the characteristics of segmented worms.
- Know the anatomy of earthworms, how they are constructed and be able to label a basic anatomy diagram.
- Be able to give an explanation of how earthworms travel.
- Understand and be able to explain earthworm respiration.
- Be able to explain how earthworms feed.
- Understand the earthworm reproduction process.
- Be able to explain the value of earthworms in the soil ecosystem.
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MODULE 14 ARTHROPODS (INSECTS AND RELATIVES)
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Know how to classify arthropods at order level.
- Be able to explain insect respiration, circulation, digestion and excretion and the insect nervous system.
- Be able to classify insect orders into the three different types of insect life-cycles.
- Be able to give interesting information with regards to habitats, defence mechanisms, feeding and mating habits (life cycles) and sounds for the following insects: Cicadas, Glow-worms / Fireflies, Termites, Butterflies & Moths, Blowflies, Mosquitoes, fig wasps, Honey Bees.
- Be able to explain insect mimicry making use of examples.
- Be able to classify Arachnids at order level.
- Know the anatomy of spiders and be able to label diagrams of spider anatomy.
- Be able to explain why some spiders can walk up smooth surfaces (glass) and why they do not get stuck in their own webs.
- Be able to explain spider respiration, circulation and reproduction organs.
- Understand how spiders produce sound.
- Be able to explain the senses of spiders (Hearing, smelling, tasting and eyesight)
- Understand mimicry in spiders and be able to give examples of this behaviour.
- Understand how spiders produce silk and be able to explain basic spider web construction.
- Be able to give an explanation of different methods of prey capture in spiders making use of common examples.
- Be able to provide examples of how some spiders make use of camouflage.
- Know what the characteristics of scorpions are and how to distinguish between the four main families of scorpions.
- Know the anatomy of scorpions and be able to label diagrams of scorpion anatomy.
- Be able to explain what pectines are and what their function is.
- Be able to explain scorpion respiration, circulation, digestion and the nervous system of scorpions.
- Be able to give a brief explanation of scorpion strategies for survival.
- Understand scorpion venom and know how scorpions use their venom (prey capture, defence and mating).
- Be able to explain how scorpions care for their young.
- Know the characteristics and basic anatomy of ticks and mites.
- Know why ticks show a preference to attach themselves to specific areas on the host species, and be able to give examples of ticks and their preferred attachment areas.
- Be able to give an explanation of common diseases in animals caused by ticks and mites.
- Know the anatomy of centipedes and millipedes and be able to label anatomy diagrams.
- Be able to give an explanation for centipede reproduction and anti-predator behaviour.
- Be able to give an explanation for millipede protective and defensive behaviour, locomotion and reproduction.
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MODULE 15 AMPHIBIANS (FROGS AND TOADS)
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Know the characteristics that enable identification of the twelve main groups of frogs.
- Know the anatomy of frogs and be able to label frog anatomy diagrams.
- Be able to give an explanation of respiration in frogs in the tadpole and adult stages.
- Be able to explain the process of how frogs produce sound. (Vocal sac configurations)
- Be able to explain how frogs are an indication of the state of the natural environment.
- Be able to explain how the different frog species have adapted to exploit particular niche’s in the environment.
- Be able to explain the different defence mechanisms used by frogs.
- Have an understanding of Southern African poisonous frogs and be able to give an explanation of some other highly poisonous frogs from other parts of the world.
- Understand some traditional beliefs regarding frogs and how some frogs have been used for medicinal purposes by various traditional people.
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MODULE 16 REPTILES
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Understand and be able to briefly explain the evolution of reptiles.
- Know the characteristics of reptiles that distinguish them from amphibians.
- Be able to give an explanation of what it means to be ectothermic and be able to explain how reptiles regulate body temperature and cope with extreme temperature changes.
- Be able to explain the type of venom for all the very dangerous and dangerous snakes that occur in Southern Africa.
- Know the anatomy of snakes and tortoises and be able to label anatomy diagrams.
- Be able to give a brief explanation of the digestive system of snakes.
- Be able to give the physical characteristics, identification pointers, social characteristics, feeding habits, breeding and reproduction, habitat and distribution and interesting facts of at least two turtles, two venomous snakes, two non-venomous snakes, two tortoises, two terrapins, two geckos, two lizards, two skinks and two chameleons.
- Be able to give an explanation of the differences between crocodiles and alligators.
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MODULE 17 FISH
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Be able to give a brief explanation for the different aquatic habitats including the various zones that make up these habitats.
- Be able to explain the respiration system of fish.
- Be able to explain osmotic regulation in freshwater and salt water fish.
- Be able to give a detailed explanation of the lateral line system in fish.
- Be able to discuss the implications of human influence on fish populations.
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MODULE 18 BIRDS
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Be able to give a brief explanation for the evolution of birds.
- Know what a feather is made of, how it is constructed and be able to label the parts.
- Know the different types of feathers, where they are found and what they are used for. (Flight feather, Contour feather, Filoplume, Nestling down feather, Permanent down feather)
- Know the construction of a wing and associated feather types. (Secondaries, Primaries, Alula, etc.)
- Be able to give a brief explanation of how birds care for their feathers.
- Be able to give a brief explanation for the colour of feathers. (Melanin, Carotenoids, Turacin, turacoverdin, Irridescence and Scattering)
- Be able to explain the principles of flight with reference to weight, Thrust, lift and drag, tip vortex, Aspect ratio).
- Know the basic forms of bird wings and give examples of each.
- Be able to explain take off and landings, gliding flight, soaring flight and flapping flight.
- Be able to give a brief explanation of the respiratory system of birds with special reference to the ability to make sound.
- Know and be able to explain the difference between bird calls and bird song.
- Know and be able to explain different types of communication used by birds, namely; establishment of territory, Duetting, Allelomimetic vocal behaviour, wood tapping, wing clapping, use of tail feathers and bill snapping.
- Be able to explain how birds learn to sing, different dialects, mimicry and complex songs.
- Be able to give an explanation for why birds migra
- Be able to explain how birds fuel themselves for migration.
- Be able to give a brief explanation as to what altitudes birds fly at while migrating.
- Be able to give an explanation as to how birds navigate while migrating.
- Be able to discuss the learning versus instinct of migratory behaviour.
- Know how the reproductive system of birds functions.
- Be able to explain the different bird mating systems and give examples; Monogamy, Polygamy, Polygyny, Polyandry, the Lek, birds that are both monogamous and polygamous. Cooperative breeding behaviour and courtship behaviour in birds.
- Be able to explain parental care in birds in terms of nesting, egg-laying, incubation, types of hatchlings.
- Know what the different types of brood parasitism behaviour are and be able to give examples of birds from each type.
- Have a brief understanding of why brood parasitism takes place – what is the advantage of this behaviour.
- Be able to label the basic parts of a bird in terms of identification pointers.
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MODULE 19 MAMMALS
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Have an understanding of where some African mammals evolved in relation to their present day distribution.
- Be able to give a brief explanation of how mammals deal with extreme temperatures and the control of their body temperature.
- Be able to give an explanation of mammal eyesight and the chemistry of vision in terms of the presence of cones and rods and the ability to see or not to see colour.
- Understand echolocation and be able to give a detailed explanation of why and how mammals make use of echolocation.
- Understand the use of scent glands in mammals and be able to label scent gland positioning on different mammals.
- Be able to briefly explain the distinguishing characteristics of the digestive systems of insectivores, non-ruminant herbivores, ruminant herbivores and carnivores.
- Be able to give figures for the South African mammal species in terms of gestation period, number of young, weight and lifes
- Be able to give a explanation for the differences between antlers and horns in terms of development and growth including unusual “horn” growth as in giraffe species.
- Be able to give the physical characteristics, social characteristics (home-range/territory),feeding habits, breeding and reproduction, habitat and distribution and interesting facts of all mammals found in Southern Africa on the list below.
Level 3 Mammal species list:
Insectivora:
- Shrews, elephant shrews, golden moles and hedgehog
Chiroptera:
- Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera -distinguishing features. Sight and hearing. Habits and breeding. Predators of bats. Ecological value of bat
Primates:
- Bushbabies, Chacma baboon and Vervet monkey
Pholidota:
Lagomorpha:
- Hares, rabbits and Riverine rabbit.
Rodentia:
- Molerats, rats, mice, gerbils, squirrels, springhare, porcupine.
Carnivora:
- Hyaenidae - brown hyena and spotted hyena
- Protelidae - Aardwolf
- Felidae - cheetah, leopard, lion, African wild cat, small spotted cat, serval, caracal.
- Canidae -blackbacked jackal, sidestriped jackal, Cape fox, bat-eared fox, wild dog.
- Mustelidae -Cape clawless otter, spotted-necked otter, striped polecat, striped weasel, honeybadger.
- Viverridae -small spotted genet, large spotted genet, tree civet, African civet, suricate and eleven mongoose species.
Tubulidentata:
Proboscidea:
Hyracoidea:
- Rock, Kaokoveld, yellow-spotted and tree dassie.
Ungulates:
- Ungulates are divided into Perissodactyla (odd-toed) and Artiodactyla (even-toed). The following species must be studied and special attention must be given to the digestive systems of ungulates:
Perissodactyla (Odd-toed ungulates):
- Black rhinoceros, white rhinocero
- Cape mountain zebra. Hartmann’s mountain zebra and Burchell’s zebra
Artiodactyla (Even-toed ungulates):
- Suidae:
- Hippopotamidae:
- Giraffidae:
- Bovidae:
- Alcelaphinae:
- Black wildebeest, blue wildebeest, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, Red hartebeest, tsessebe, bontebok, blesbok
- Cephalophinae:
- Blue-, red and common duiker
- Antelopinae:
- Springbok, Damara dik-dik, klipspringer, oribi, grysbok, stee
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MODULE 20 ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR
| The objectives
On completion of this module you will:
- Be able to give an explanation of the fundamentals of animal behaviour.
- Be able to explain animal behaviour in terms of the phenomenon of imprinting.
- Be able to give a brief explanation of the behaviour of common insects, for example the ‘dance of the honeybee’.
- Be able to explain the use of Jacobson’s organ in animals.
- Be able to explain the various types of animal protective behaviour.
- Be able to explain the home-ranges and territories of animals in your area of operation.
- Be able to give an explanation for animal personal space and comfort zones with particular reference to approaching animals.
- Be able to identify and interpret animal signs and sounds.
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