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NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR PROMOTING SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Informed decision-making and planning prioritises research, systemic observation, knowledge generation, information management and early warning systems that increase ability to measure and predict implications of various issues on the economy, society and the environment.
IN THIS PAGE:
REPORTS ON THE STATUS OF BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS and REPORTS ON THE STATE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY also known as NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT
ALL REPORTS:
STATUS OF BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA (SBIMSA)
The Status of Biological Invasions and their Management in South Africa (SBIMSA) report constitutes an independent assessment. The report is intended to inform the development and ongoing adaptation of appropriate policies and control measures, both to reduce the negative impacts of alien species on ecosystems, the economy, and people, and to retain any benefits of invasive species where possible and desirable.
» 2022 | punblished March 2024 [PDF - 7.1 mb]
ALL REPORTS:
STATE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN SOUTH AFRICA (SBSA)
The National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA) is the primary tool for monitoring and reporting on the state of biodiversity in South Africa. It is used to inform policies, strategies and actions in a range of sectors for managing and conserving biodiversity more effectively. Each NBA is named after the year of the data underpinning the assessment. Individuals from a number institutions have worked persistently in providing and processing data, participating in collaborative workshops, authoring chapters on technical reports, and acting as experts and reviewers for various NBA components.
2018 | [web page]
2018 synthesis report | [PDF - 29.6 mb]
SUMMARY REPORT
LIFE: THE STATE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S BIODIVERSITY, 2012
PUBLISHED MARCH 2013 [PDF - 5.2 MB]
Life: the state of South Africa’s biodiversity 2012 is a summary of the National Biodiversity Assessment 2011, which was led by SANBI in partnership with a range of organisations, involving wide participation from scientists, biodiversity management experts and other stakeholders throughout the country over a three-year period. The message of this report on the state of South Africa’s biodiversity is simple: the country’s vast wealth of biodiversity – which includes all forms of life, from genes and species to the ecosystems they live in – offers us natural solutions that can support development and help us respond to the pressing problems of unemployment, poverty and climate change.
MATTERS OF ELEPHANT, LION, LEOPARD AND RHINOCEROS IN SOUTH AFRICA
HIGH-LEVEL PANEL (HLP) OF EXPERTS REPORT:
MATTERS OF ELEPHANT, LION, LEOPARD AND RHINOCEROS MANAGEMENT, BREEDING, HUNTING, TRADE AND HANDLING
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 2020 [PDF - 9.5 MB]
This report serves as a comprehensive account of the HLP’s context and work – with the content detailing HLP’s functions, approach and associated programme of work, alongside specifics relating to each phase of work undertaken. It provides a record of activities, areas of engagement, key deliberations and emerging issues of agreement, disagreement and partial agreement, and an associated set of recommendations. Report also serves as a ready-reference source of information – providing HLP members and the minister with information on the context and background information underpinning the emerging recommendations. It should be noted that not all views included here are consensus views. While the chair and members of the HLP have worked towards achieving consensus, all acknowledged that there would inevitably be cases in which this was not possible.
THE VIABILITY OF LEGALISING TRADE IN RHINO HORN IN SOUTH AFRICA
PUBLISHED MARCH 2014 [PDF - 1.9 MB]
At a Rhino Summit in October 2010, the department agreed to commission a feasibility study to determine the viability of the legalisation of the trade in rhino horn in South Africa. The study had to: a) analyse trends in local (national) trade in rhino horn prior to the moratorium that came into effect in February 2009; b) analyse trends in incidences of illegal killing prior to and subsequent to the national moratorium; c) assess the potential national market for rhino horn; d) determine security risks relating to the lifting of the moratorium; e) identify measures to be put in place to address the risks identified above; f) recommend systems to be developed and implemented to regulate national trade in rhino horn; g) identify the legal requirements to be addressed in terms of a national trade system; h) identify means to ensure rhino horn traded nationally does not enter international trade; i) analyse similar situations in other countries and advice on best practices and interventions.
» committee of inquiry summary report [PDF - 382.2 kb]
RHINO ISSUES MANAGEMENT (RIM)
PUBLISHED JULY 2013 [PDF - 3 MB]
RIM was directed to collect and collate information and data and compile a report for presentation to the department to augment its rhino management document, the national strategy for the safety and security of rhinoceros populations. This report and its annexures are a compilation of information that includes recommendations for the department to consider and better understanding of the key issues among the stakeholders regarding sustainable rhino conservation. It is presented with the hope that it will assist in developing a solid national position as South Africa prepares for the upcoming Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Conference of the Parties (COP) 16.
DEHORNING OF THE AFRICAN RHINOCEROSES AS A TOOL TO REDUCE THE RISK OF POACHING
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2011 [PDF - 3 MB]
Rhino dehorning has been used historically as a tool to reduce the threat of poaching in parts of southern Africa, and continues to be employed on a large-scale in Zimbabwe. Dehorning is contentious due to uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of the method at reducing poaching, and due to potential veterinary impacts and adverse effects on the behavioural ecology of rhinos. This report is the product of the study on rhino dehorning and was conducted on behalf of the department by the Endangered Wildlife Trust. The aim of the report is to provide clarity on the impacts and efficacy of dehorning and to identify the circumstances under which the intervention is most likely to be effective at reducing poaching.
PAPERS:
RHINOCEROS POACHING RELATED
Animal rights philosophy and wildlife conservation. The Wildlife Society, 2011.
Anthropogenic Influences on Conservation Values of White Rhinoceros. Sam M. Ferreira, Judith M. Botha, Megan C. Emmett. Volume 7, Issue 9, 2012.
Banking on extinction: endangered species and speculation. Charles F. Mason, Erwin H. Bulte, and Richard D. Horan. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Volume 28, Number 1, 2012, pp. 180–192.
Black rhino needs a taxonomic revision for sound conservation. Kees Rookmaker. International Zoo News, Volume 52, Number 5, 2005, pp. 280 – 282.
Comments on John Hume's Letter. T Jacobsen, 2012
Submission to the Department of Environment. concerns over the potential trade in rhino horn. S Morgan, PhD.
The elephant and rhino poaching crisis through the eyes of yao ming: a chinese view of an African dilemma. Yao Ming, 2012
Elephants, iPhones and bombs: unmanned drones in conservation. Damien Mander, International Anti-Poaching Foundation, 2012.
Is there a future in the wild for rhinos? Lili Sheeline. TRAFFIC (USA), Volume 7 Number 4, 1987.
Trade Bans: A Perfect Storm for Poaching. Kirsten Conrad. Open Access Journal - Tropical Conservation Science Volume 5 (3), 2012, pp. 245-254.
Assessing the population performance of the black rhinoceros in Kruger National Park. Sam M. Ferreira1, Cathy C. Greaver and Mike H. Knight. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 41(2), 2011, pp. 192–204.
A proposed framework for short-, medium- and long-term responses by range and consumer states to curb poaching for African rhino horn. Sam M. Ferreira and Benson Okita-Ouma. Pachyderm No. 51, 2012.
The question of rhino horn trade: policy perspectives. Malcolm Draper, Sociology University of KwaZulu-Natal
Ending the demand for rhino horn in Asia: how to shift the mind-set of consumers. Galeo Saintz and Dr Simon Morgan.
Rhino poaching: supply and demand uncertain. Science, Volume 340, 2013.
The argument in favour of a smart trade in white rhino horn, from natural deaths. Michael Eustace, 2012
Submission to rhino issue management. T.M. Bengis, 2012.
Increased use of technology to combat current rhino poaching crisis in Southern Africa. Dr. Simon Morgan.
Submission to the Portfolio Committee for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: The Veterinary and Para Veterinary Professions Amendment Bill (B25-2012). T.M. Bengis on behalf of Outraged SA Citizens Against poaching.
The sustainable use approach could save South Africa's rhinos. Brian Child, Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Study, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2012.
The time to think differently about CITES and trade is upon us. Rael Loon 2012.
Identifying and understanding consumers of wildlife animal products in Hanoi, Vietnam: implications for conservation management. R. C. Drury. Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. University College London, 2009.
BIODIVERSITY BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND VALUE CHAIN RELATED MATTERS
A PRELIMINARY BASELINE ASSESSMENT
OVERVIEW OF CURRENT APPROACHES AND PRACTICES OF SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESSES TO THE MAINSTREAMING OF BIODIVERSITY
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2015 [PDF - 2.6 MB]
The National Biodiversity and Business Network (NBBN) was created to support the mainstreaming of biodiversity into business in South Africa. In order to better understand the current status quo in South Africa, the department in collaboration with the NBBN decided to conduct this preliminary baseline assessment with the aim of assessing current approaches and practices of South African businesses to mainstream biodiversity. The aim was not to conduct a detailed comparative assessment between companies, but, rather to get a general overview of the current practices and approaches of South African businesses regarding biodiversity mainstreaming.
TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE ASSOCIATED WITH ROOIBOS AND HONEYBUSH SPECIES IN SOUTH AFRICA
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2014 [PDF - 5.8 MB]
The overall objectives of the study is to; (i) conduct an ethnobotanical study on the origin of traditional knowledge associated with rooibos and honeybush species, (ii) investigate and analyse information on the original distribution of the species in South Africa and link it with the existing associated traditional use by indigenous and local communities; (iii) investigate and reveal how the traditional knowledge associated with these species as an information source has provided valuable leads into the scientific and commercial environment; (iv) and to make recommendations on the existence and legitimate ownership of traditional knowledge associated with rooibos and honeybush species in South Africa.
PROTECTED AREAS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (EMF)
MAPUNGUBWE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE WORLD HERITAGE SITE (MCLWHS)
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2014
This report represents the strategic environmental management plan (SEMP) of the EMF process and serves to plot the way forward for attaining the desired state. The SEMP bridges the divide between the current state of the environment in MCLWHS and the desired state. It aims to achieve this by managing the sustainable utilisation of land through management guidelines and by controlling the activities that may impact on environmental attributes in specific geographical areas.
» environmental management framework [PDF - 6.5 mb]
» status quo report [PDF - 14.5 mb]
» desired state report [PDF - 12.4 mb]
GARDEN ROUTE EMF
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 2012
The purpose of EMFs is to function as a support mechanism in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process in the evaluation and review of development applications, as well as decision-making. EMFs provide a compilation of information and maps, illustrating attributes of the environment for a specific geographical area that becomes useful in a diverse field of environmental applications, including EIA processes, but also other planning processes, such as the development of IDPs, SDFs and other open space planning applications.
» status quo assessment report [17.61 mb]
» report figures [37.27 mb]
» final report [10.68 mb]
THE MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS OF SOUTH AFRICA'S PROTECTED AREAS
PUBLISHED 2010 [PDF - 2.9 MB]
In assessing the effectiveness of the management of South Africa's protected areas, the following steps were taken. A review of international best practice was followed by a review of assessments done in South Africa by various management authorities in the country. This was followed by a study tour to Australia. These three activities informed the CEO's Forum decision to: undertake a national assessment of the management effectiveness of South Africa's protected areas; to use the management effectiveness tracking tool as adapted for South Africa (METT-SA) to do the assessment to establish a common baseline; and to establish a sub-committee to oversee the project.
THE WATERBERG DISTRICT EMF
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2010
The EMF will support decision-making in the Waterberg District Municipality area in order to facilitate appropriate and sustainable development. The EMF integrates policies and frameworks and aligns government mandates to streamline decision-making and to improve cooperative governance. The EMF has a number of specific objectives, which include identifying the status quo, development pressures and trends in the area and development a decision support system for development in the area to ensure that environmental attributes, issues and priorities are taken into account.
» framework report [PDF - 19.7 mb]
» status report [PDF - 6.37 mb] | appendices: » air quality [PDF - 342.03 kb] » fauna species [PDF - 500.45 kb] » weather tables and rainfall [PDF - 744.88 kb]
» desired state report [PDF - 405.44 kb] | appendix 1: comments and responses [PDF - 446.96 kb] | maps [PDF - 2.5 mb]
» public participation report [PDF - 1001.47 kb]
THE OLIFANTS AND LETABA (OLEMF) RIVERS CATCHMENT AREAS EMF
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 2009
It was decided by the governing authorities that an environmental management framework should be created. This decision was made in order to manage future development to be sustainable as well as monitor and control the cumulative impacts of human activity on the natural environment. The EMF is meant to be a guideline to assist the decision-making process. It integrates frameworks, policies and different government mandates. The EMF presents important information in a format that is easy to access and understand.
» status quo report [PDF - 8.82 mb]
» public participation report [PDF - 4.88 mb] | appendices: » project resource documents [PDF - 75.25 kb] » ecological reserve report [PDF - 1.42 mb] » specification of activities on geographical areas [PDF - 651.9 kb] » vegetation [PDF - 1.18 mb] » eco-region maps [PDF - 468.19 kb]
» final emf report [PDF - 15.04 mb]
Images and related sources: » South Afrcan National Parks (SANParks) | South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)