National Biodiversity Assessment 2011 - an assessment of South Africa's biodiversity and ecosystems
National Biodiversity Assessment 2011 (NBA 2011)
Geographical coverage
| Geographical scale of the assessment | National |
|---|---|
| Country or countries covered | South Africa |
| Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name |
National assessment covering terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine environments |
Geographical scale of the assessment
National
Country or countries covered
South Africa
Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name
National assessment covering terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine environments
Conceptual framework, methodology and scope
Assessment objectives
To assess the state of South Africa’s biodiversity, across terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine environments, emphasising spatial (mapped) information for both ecosystems and species, and providing headline indicators for the status of ecosystems.
To synthesise key aspects of South Africa’s biodiversity science, making it available in a useful form to policymakers, decision-makers and practitioners in a range of sectors.
Mandate for the assessment
The assessment was led by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) as part of its legal mandate to monitor and report on the state of South Africa's biodiversity (mandate given through South Africa's Biodiversity Act of 2004). Many partner organisations were involved.
Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment
Other (please specify)
Conceptual framework developed initially in South Africa's National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004, refined and strengthened in the NBA 2011. Key elements of the conceptual framework are set out in Chapter 3 of the NBA 2011 Synthesis Report.
URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted
System(s) assessed
- Marine
- Coastal
- Inland water
- Forest and woodland
- Grassland
- Mountain
- Dryland
Species groups assessed
focus on medicinal plants, harvested marine species, and threatened species across several taxonomic groups
Ecosystem services/functions assessed
Provisioning
- Water
- Medicinal resources
Regulating
Supporting Services/Functions
Cultural Services
Scope of assessment includes
Drivers of change in systems and services
Yes
Impacts of change in services on human well-being
Yes
Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed
Yes
Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment
Yes
Timing of the assessment
Year assessment started
2008
Year assessment finished
2011
If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish
Periodicity of assessment
Repeated
If repeated, how frequently
approximately every 7 years
Assessment outputs
Website(s)
Synthesis report and technical reports available at SANBI's BGIS website http://bgis.sanbi.org/nba/project.asp
Report(s)
Driver, A., Sink, K.J., Nel, J.L., Holness, S.H., Van Niekerk, L., Daniels, F., Jonas, Z., Majiedt, P.A., Harris, L. & Maze, K. 2012. National Biodiversity Assessment 2011: An assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems. Synthesis report. South African National Biodiversity Institute & Department of Environmental Affairs, Pretoria.
NBA_2011_Synthesis_Report_(low_resolution).pdf
Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)
Journal publications
Training materials
Other documents/outputs
Tools and processes
Tools and approaches used in the assessment
- Modelling
- Geospatial analysis
- Indicators
Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component
The assessment involved over 200 scientists, practitioners and managers from over 30 organisations over a three year period. It was a strongly collaborative process throughout.
Key stakeholder groups engaged
Key stakeholder groups included government (various national and provincial government departments), universities and research institutions, & NGOs
The number of people directly involved in the assessment process
10-100
Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge
- Scientific information only
- Resource experts (e.g. foresters etc)
- Traditional/local knowledge
- Citizen science
Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment
Assessment reports peer reviewed
Yes
Data
Accessibility of data used in assessment
Some input data accessible. Spatial outputs of the assessment are in the public domain - some are currently available on SANBI's BGIS website, and the rest will be made available as soon as possible.
Policy impact
Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions
The National Biodiversity Assessment directly informs South Africa's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and National Biodiversity Framework. Information and data from the NBA is used to streamline environmental decision-making (for example in EIAs), to strengthen land-use planning, to strenthen national developemnt planning (for example it has fed into the National Water Resources Strategy), and to inform protected area expansion.
Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment
No
Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews
Capacity building
Capacity building needs identified during the assessment
Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity
Network and sharing experiences, Sharing of data/repatriation of data, Workshops, Developing/promoting and providing access to support tools
How have gaps in capacity been communicated to the different stakeholders
Knowledge generation
Gaps in knowledge identified from the assessment
Many - these are summarised in the synthesis report and discussed in more detail in the technical reports
