Skip to content
MeerkatSkool Afrikaans
Summaries · Grade 5 Natural Sciences › Biodiversity and endangered species
Free summary · Grade 5 Natural Sciences

Biodiversity and endangered species

The variety of life, indigenous and alien species, endangered animals and conservation. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

Know it already? Jump straight to the quiz

Your progress0 of 3

Many kinds of life

South Africa has a rich biodiversity. Fynbos is special: it has a huge variety of plant species. Our national flower is the king protea. The more biodiversity, the more easily nature recovers after damage.

WordMeaning
IndigenousOccurs naturally in the country
Alien (exotic)Brought in from elsewhere
Invasive plantAn alien plant that spreads and takes over
EndangeredAt risk of dying out
ExtinctNo living members remain
Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

They depend on each other

Interdependence means living things need each other. Impala graze near baboons: the baboons spot danger and bark a warning. When one species disappears, the whole system is disrupted.

  • Animals need plants for food, shelter and nesting material, and for the oxygen plants give off.
  • Plants need animals: bees, birds and other animals carry pollen from flower to flower (pollination).
  • Animals spread seeds when they eat fruit or when seeds stick to their fur (seed dispersal). Animal droppings add nutrients to the soil.
Rangers protect a rhino mother and her calf.
Rangers protect a rhino mother and her calf.
Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

What can you do?

  • Plant indigenous plants: they use less water and suit our climate.
  • Do not litter, and help pull out invasive plants.
  • Scientists count animals to see if numbers go up or down; the Red List shows species at risk.
Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • Biodiversity is the variety of living things in an area.
  • An indigenous species occurs here naturally (springbok); an alien one was brought in from elsewhere.
  • An endangered species may die out; an extinct species has no living members left.
  • The biggest cause of species loss is habitat loss caused by people. Rhinos are hunted by poachers.
  • Conservation is protecting nature for the future, as in a nature reserve.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Bio = life, diverse = many kinds. More kinds = stronger nature, like a team with many players on the bench.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

True or false?

Read the question and the answer. Is the answer right? Tap True or False.

    Now the real quiz!

    The quiz has many more questions on this topic. Every question shows straight away whether you are right and explains why.

    Take the quiz: Biodiversity and endangered species
    All Grade 5 Natural Sciences summaries
    For parents
    • Read one part together and ask your child to tell it back in their own words.
    • The ticks (“I know this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.

    Follows CAPS for Grade 5 Natural Sciences and Technology. Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.

    Free PDF