South Africa is the third most biodiverse country globally, renowned for its high endemism and home to over 95,000 known species. The country features a variety of biomes including forests, deserts, estuaries, and marine systems, all of which underpin its economy through contributions to tourism, fishing, farming, and industry. The biodiversity, ecological infrastructure, and ecosystem services play a critical role in supporting the wellbeing, livelihoods, and economic security of its people.
South Africa also hosts three globally recognized biodiversity hotspots: the Cape Floristic Region, the Succulent Karoo, and the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany region, which are especially rich in unique and threatened species.
Four pillars elaborated:
South Africa boasts 100 important bird sites, 8 World Heritage sites, 5 biosphere reserves, and 19 RAMSAR sites. Ten percent of the nation’s wetlands are fully protected, with an additional 8% partially protected. Along the coastline, 21.5% falls within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), yet only 9% of these are designated as no-take zones. Within South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone, only 0.4% is protected as part of MPAs, and less than 0.2% is in no-take zones. Inland water bodies face similar challenges; only 7% of main river ecosystems are adequately protected. Although 59% of South Africa’s 259 estuaries are in good or excellent condition, merely 5.4% receive a high level of protection.
Land Management
One of the primary threats to biodiversity in South Africa is habitat loss and degradation caused by various forms of land use such as urban, industrial, and mining developments, as well as agriculture, biofuel production, canalization of water bodies, and marine trawling. Additional challenges include the proliferation of alien invasive species, which currently affect about 8% of the country’s land area with approximately 200 species of invasive plants impacting all biomes and ecosystems.
Threats to Biodiversity
Over-harvesting, particularly in marine environments, the discharge of industrial pollutants into water systems, and climate change also pose significant risks. Compounding these environmental threats, South Africa’s heavy reliance on coal for energy contributes to substantial greenhouse gas emissions, potentially leading to a reduction of up to 55% in the area occupied by current biomes within the next 50 years.
South Africa has implemented significant policies across various sectors to enhance biodiversity management. Notable efforts include the regulation of alien invasive species through initiatives like the “Working for Water” program, the protection of indigenous knowledge with policies ensuring fair compensation for local communities, and the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety. The country’s approach to biodiversity is outlined in several key legislative documents initiated with the White Paper on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity (1997) and further developed through the National Environmental Management Act (1998) and the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (2004). These acts aim to streamline biodiversity-related legislation and promote cooperative governance across different governmental levels.
Capacity and Governance
South Africa has also made strides in integrating the Ecosystem Approach into planning and management, developing tools for incorporating biodiversity into land use planning and decision-making. This includes listing threatened ecosystems and creating spatial biodiversity plans that identify critical areas. Additionally, biodiversity considerations are integrated into the National Climate Change Response Strategy and the National Action Programme to combat land degradation.
South Africa’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is designed to preserve and manage the country’s vast biodiversity for the well-being of its citizens. The plan sets a comprehensive framework that focuses on expanding and enhancing the biodiversity economy to include the rural poor, fostering cooperation and partnerships among diverse stakeholders, and implementing an integrated approach to biodiversity management. It aims to integrate biodiversity considerations across all economic sectors, improve the resilience of ecosystems and species to climate change, and enhance the management of protected areas, creating a unified strategy for sustainable development and conservation.
Future Trends
Biodiversity
South Africa’s savannas and grasslands are among the most iconic landscapes in the country. The savannas, particularly in regions like Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, support large populations of herbivores such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and various species of antelopes. These areas are also home to predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. The grasslands, found in the Highveld and other regions, are rich in biodiversity and support numerous bird species, including the endangered blue crane and the secretarybird.Its coastline stretches over 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) along both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, featuring diverse marine and coastal habitats. Coastal areas such as the Garden Route and Tsitsikamma National Park are known for their rich biodiversity. The marine ecosystems include kelp forests, coral reefs, and estuaries that support a wide variety of marine life, including whales, dolphins, seals, and numerous fish species. The country’s coastal waters are also important breeding grounds for the great white shark and the southern right whale. The coastal wetlands and mangroves are vital for bird species, such as flamingos and pelicans, and provide critical nursery habitats for fish and crustaceans.
In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to South Africa only):
| Species (World rank) |
Threatened | % Threatened | Endemic | % Endemic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammals | 322 (#28) | 30 | 9.3% | 40 | 12.4% |
| Birds | 762 (#30) | 54 | 7.1% | 18 | 2.4% |
| Reptiles | 570 (#9) | 30 | 5.3% | 137 | 24.0% |
| Amphibians | 132 (#28) | 16 | 12.1% | 60 | 45.5% |
| Fishes | 2,097 (#16) | 139 | 6.6% | 75 | 3.6% |
| Plants | 20,344 (#11) | 153 | 0.8% | 8,546 | 42.0% |
mammals
Cheetah
Racing to extinction: historically ranging throughout Africa to India, now distributed in small, fragmented populations
African bush elephant
Size matters! The largest of the three elephant species and the largest extant terrestrial creature on our planet
African buffalo
They are also known as the “black death” or “widowmaker,” which says a lot about them – dangerous!
birds
Greater flamingo
The iconic and elegant bird with a curved pink bill is known for turning heads
Hamerkop
The hammerheads of the bird kingdom
Purple-crested turaco
These birds were once hunted for their beautiful crimson flight feathers
reptiles
African helmeted turtle
A freshwater turtle native to the waters of Africa and Madagascar
Black mamba
Africa’s most feared snake that would inevitably evoke reactions of fear by just its looks
Nile crocodile
One of the most iconic animals of Africa and the second largest reptile on earth
amphibians
African clawed frog
It’s a frog, but it doesn’t look like the typical frogs we think of!
Roses ghost frog
Actively avoids sunlight, preferring the cool, damp darkness under rocks and amongst thick vegetation
Guttural toad
Known for its loud, ‘guttural’ croak that can be heard from a distance
National Animals
Springbok
The national animal of South Africa and even lend their name to a South African rugby team
South Africa
A precious gem of biodiversity shining bright on the African continent
Score:
61.7 100
