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Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

South Africa occupies only 2% of the world’s surface area but is home to nearly 10% of the world’s plants (approximately 24 000 species), around 7% of the world’s vertebrate species, and 5.5% of the world’s known insect species (only about half of the latter have been described). In terms of the number of endemic species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, South Africa ranks as the fifth richest country in Africa and the 24th richest in the world. Marine biological diversity is also high. There are over 11 000 species found in South African waters, which is about 15% of global species, with more than 25% of these marine species (or 3 496 species) being endemic to South Africa. A high proportion of species are threatened, especially in river ecosystems (82%) and estuaries (77%). Three internationally recognized biodiversity hotspots (areas with especially high concentrations of biodiversity, which are under serious threat) are found in South Africa: the Cape Floral Kingdom (equivalent to the fynbos biome), Succulent Karoo (shared with Namibia) and the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany centre of endemism (Maputaland-Pondoland is shared with Mozambique and Swaziland). The succulent karoo biome is one of only two arid biodiversity hotspots in the world, the other being the Horn of Africa.

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

528 Protected areas, of which 20 are marine, totalling 7.5 million ha or 6.2% of the land area. However, biomes such as grasslands and succulent karoo are under-conserved, as are rivers.

Percentage of Forest Cover

The total forest area (2000) is 8,917,000 ha, with 7,363,000 ha for natural forest area and 1,554,000 ha for plantations

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The NBSAP developed, with wide stakeholder consultation, in 2003 – 2005, builds on existing policy and legislation, and many plans and programmes are being implemented. However, much existing policy and legislation is fairly new, and many aspects must still be implemented. A scientifically-based systematic biodiversity assessment for the country, the NSBA, was carried out in 2004. This assessment set quantitative targets for conservation of biodiversity in terrestrial, river, estuarine and marine ecosystems. These biodiversity targets, based on best available science, need to inform the setting of realistic and measurable targets for the 5-year action plan developed during the NBSAP process. The NBSAP identified nine priority geographic areas, as well as priorities for freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems. Within these areas, priority actions include limiting loss and degradation of natural habitat by integrating biodiversity considerations into municipal spatial plans and extending conservation and biodiversity management onto privately and communally owned land. A national mining and biodiversity dialogue has been established between conservation organisations and the Chamber of Mines, which represents large mining houses. It aims to improve biodiversity practices within the industry and to prevent loss of natural habitat in critical sites.
 

• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (English)

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

The Biodiversity Act, adopted in 2004, calls for the development of a National Biodiversity Framework and a series of bioregional plans. The implementation of this legislation will greatly assist with integration of biodiversity considerations into sectoral plans, programmes and policies (a key action identified in the NBSAP) especially development planning and land-use decision-making at provincial and local level.

Initiatives in Protected Areas

South Africa has established the targets for protected areas for 2010: 8% of land surface area in protected areas by 2010 and 20% of coastline in Marine Protected Areas by 2010.South Africa has developed The Protected Areas Act (2003) that addresses previous legislative barriers, however, lack of institutional capacity remains a challenge, especially in some of the less well-resourced provincial conservation agencies.

Initiatives in Access and Benefit Sharing

The Biodiversity Act (2004), provides for the development of clear procedures, norms and standards. Material Transfer Agreements and Benefit Sharing Agreements will be regulated when the Act is implemented. A Bioprospecting Framework will be developed. The Act also allows for the establishment of a Bioprospecting Fund, for the collection and distribution of financial benefits arising from bioprospecting.

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

An inter-departmental committee on Indigenous Knowledge Systems has been established, including Department of Environment Affairs and Tourism, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, and Department of Trade and Industry. The Department of Science and Technology has established a Directorate: Indigenous Knowledge Systems to focus exclusively on traditional knowledge and benefit sharing. An Indigenous Knowledge Systems Bill is under consideration. Traditional healers have considerable influence and status in South Africa and the Department of Health has promulgated the Traditional Healers Act in a bid to place the status of traditional healers on a par with “western” medicine.