South Africa is one of the five “mega-diverse” countries in the world. But with 2 300 species on the Red Data List of endangered species South Africa is facing a challenge in monitoring and conserving the country’s unique biodiversity.
The environmental cooperation programme between Norway and South Africa started in 1997. This cooperation is based on mutual commitment by both nations to enhance development through implementation of international environmental conventions.
Endangered: The small Western Leopard Toad is endemic to the Western Cape. Only a few subpopulations remains. Photo: Andrew MassynIn 2005 Norway signed an agreement of NOK 40 million (USD 6,5 million) for funding of a five-year environment program. The program has been managed by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs with projects at national, provincial and municipal level.
One part of the program has focused on biodiversity and consisted of seven projects with the overall goal of promoting conservation and development of South Africa’s natural resources. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) created a five-year Threatened Species Program with the mandate to monitor and report on the conservation of South Africa’s indigenous flora and fauna. The program especially focused on species that traditionally have not received much attention; such as reptiles, butterflies, spiders and marine fishes.
South Africa has through the programme taken the leading role in monitoring biodiversity in Southern Africa. By the use of the Union for the Conservation of Natures (IUCN) Red List System for assessing the risk of extinction of species, SANBI this summer launched The Red List of South African Plants. Craig Hilton-Taylor, manager of IUCN Red List Programme, emphasized the importance of conserving South Africa’s indigenous biodiversity and the Red List’s global influence; “The Red List of South African Plants is a landmark publication that doubles the number of plants on the IUCN’s Global Red List”.
The comprehensive work of monitoring and reporting on biodiversity in a country the size of South Africa has been made possible by The Custodians of Rear and Endangered Wildflowers. CREW is a network of volunteers collecting data about South African endangered plants. The Red List of South African Plants is “a product of a partnership with the goal to protect and highlight biodiversity. That the collaboration encourages the local people as well as scientist is a unique feature” explains CEO to SANBI Dr. Tanya Abrahamse. Involving volunteers moves the work of assessing South Africa’s indigenous flora out to the community and creates interest and commitment. Enlightening the community is necessary to succeed in the long term work of conserving South Africa’s biodiversity. CREW has among other things discovered 14 new plant species, and rediscovered 12 species that were considered extinct. The volunteers work must therefore be given a great deal of the credit for The Threatened Species Program's success, and the publication of The Red List of South African Plants.
As a result of SANBI’s work South Africa is considered world leading in Red List assessments. Being the only country of the five “mega-diverse” countries with a successful centralised system for administrating biodiversity and environmental conservation South Africa has become a pioneer who shares their knowledge with others. SANBI has recently been consulting Brazil, one of the other “mega-diverse” countries, in their work of assessing the country’s flora and fauna.
The Threatened Species Program is being closed this year. The outputs has undoubtedly contributed to ongoing improvement of institutional capacity beyond the life of this programme, capacity that SANBI can take with them in the ongoing work of monitoring and conserving South Africa’s biodiversity.