Blink and they might be gone – latest biodiversity assessment highlights dangers to SA’s wetlands

Abstract

Biodiversity The recently completed NBA 2011 provides an assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems, including headline indicators and national maps for the terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine environments. The main purpose of the document, launched by Minister of Water & Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, earlier this year, is to provide a regular high-level summary of the state of South Africa’s biodiversity. It is intended for decision makers both inside and outside the biodiversity sector. The latest assessment process was led by the South African National Biodiversity Institute in partnership with a range of organisations, including the Department of Environmental Affairs, CSIR, and South African National Parks. It follows on from the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004. This time round the scope of assessment has been broadened to include key thematic issues as well as a spatial assessment.

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